Reacción a "A stem cell transplant with only one protective mutation achieves remission of HIV in a cancer patient"

It is an excellent piece of work. Its strength lies in the long-term follow-up of the cured patient, while its weakness, as in similar studies, is that it describes only one patient.

The study provides two important pieces of information with respect to other previously reported cases (mostly by the ICISTEM consortium, with the active participation of Dr. J. Martínez-Picado of IrsiCaixa). First, this case confirms that a donor lacking the HIV co-receptor CCR5 is not necessary. Second, the authors suggest that the presence of protective antibodies (neutralizing and ADCC [antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity] mediators) at the time of transplantation plays an important role. This is the first time this phenomenon has been described. Given that we have prophylactic and therapeutic anti-HIV antibodies approved for administration to humans, this opens up a new avenue of intervention in new cases of HIV cure.

The risk of hematopoietic precursor transplantation is too high to justify general interventions for the cure of HIV infection (which, remember, can be controlled with highly effective and safe treatment). However, for those living with HIV who need this type of transplant, the information provided is relevant, as it makes it easier to identify potential donors.