Bone marrow transplant seems to "functionally cure" HIV
December 14, 2010 11:33 PM Subscribe
After undergoing a bone marrow transplant for leukemia, a patient is "functionally cured" of HIV.
The doctor chose a marrow donor with a genetic mutation that made him immune to HIV. In the 600 days since surgery, doctors have been unable to detect HIV in the patient's blood, even though he has ceased taking AIDS meds.
The doctor chose a marrow donor with a genetic mutation that made him immune to HIV. In the 600 days since surgery, doctors have been unable to detect HIV in the patient's blood, even though he has ceased taking AIDS meds.
This post was deleted for the following reason: posted previously -- vacapinta
Maybe in the future doctors could create custom bone marrow from your own stem cells that have been genetically modified to carry the "immune to HIV" gene. Right now, you need to find a donor who is 1) an exact match and 2) carries that gene.
posted by delmoi at 11:50 PM on December 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by delmoi at 11:50 PM on December 14, 2010 [1 favorite]
They published a follow up which probably prompted this news cycle.
posted by BrotherCaine at 12:28 AM on December 15, 2010
posted by BrotherCaine at 12:28 AM on December 15, 2010
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posted by Blazecock Pileon at 11:38 PM on December 14, 2010