Long-term remission of HIV-1 after allogeneic stem cell transplantation
This article characterized a case of long-term HIV-1 remission of a 53-year-old male who was carefully monitored for more than 9 years after allogeneic stem cell transplantation performed for acute myeloid leukemia. Despite sporadic traces of HIV-1 DNA detected by droplet digital PCR and in situ hybridization assays in peripheral T cell subsets and tissue-derived samples, repeated ex vivo quantitative and in vivo outgrowth assays in humanized mice did not reveal replication-competent virus.
Low levels of immune activation and waning HIV-1-specifc humoral and cellular immune responses indicated a lack of ongoing antigen production. Four years after analytical treatment interruption, the absence of a viral rebound and the lack of immunological correlates of HIV-1 antigen persistence are strong evidence for HIV-1 cure.
