The unnamed London patient’s stem cell treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma has brought fresh hope to the 37 million people currently living with HIV.
UK researchers have confirmed that a patient in London is now in remission from both HIV and cancer following a successful stem cell transplant procedure.
Diagnosed HIV positive in 2003, the man developed an aggressive type of cancer - Hodgkin lymphoma - in 2012. Following extensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy he agreed to a stem cell transplant in 2016.
Since then, his progress has been monitored over the last 18 months and it is now confirmed that there is ‘no trace’ of the HIV and he remains in remission for both diseases.
His doctor described his patient as ‘functionally cured’ and ‘in remission’, but cautioned ‘it’s too early to say he’s cured’.
Health research experts have recognised the results as ‘encouraging’ and are hopeful the success will continue to replicate the case of the Berlin patient.
Who was the Berlin patient?
Timothy Ray Brown, known as the ‘Berlin patient’ was the first person known to have been cured of HIV following a stem cells transplant in 2007. Since the first day of his transplant, he is still HIV free 12 years on.
The success of the London patient’s treatment confirms that the Berlin patient study couldn’t be considered an anomaly.
