Novel Cord Blood Stem Cell Treatment Leads to HIV Remission

A recent medical study has brought new hope to those living with HIV. A middle-aged woman with both HIV-1 and acute myeloid leukemia achieved long-term remission—and possibly a cure—after receiving a unique cord blood stem cell transplant. This approach, which used cord blood stem cells, represents an important step forward in the potential use of cord blood for treating and even cure difficult infectious conditions.

In this treatment, doctors combined cord blood from a donor with a specific DNA mutation—which confers natural resistance to HIV-1 variants—with stem cells from another donor to help her immune system recover. Over time, the cord blood cells replaced her own cells, giving her a new, HIV-resistant immune system.

Just 14 weeks after the transplant, the woman’s blood cells were completely replaced by HIV-resistant cells from the cord blood. Remarkably, over four years later, she remains HIV-free, without the need for any medication. This is the third case where a stem cell transplant has led to an HIV cure, and the first time cord blood has been used.

This research highlights the potential of using cord blood stem cells for immune system reconstitution as a promising strategy for HIV treatment. Unlike traditional bone marrow transplants, cord blood transplants offer a significant advantage: They don’t require a perfect donor match, making them more accessible for a broader range of patients. With around 38 million people living with HIV-1 globally, this approach could offer an important new avenue for treatment and potentially life-changing options for many.

References:
M. M. Shaw, “HIV-1 Remission and Possible Cure in a Woman after Haplo-Cord Blood Transplant,” National Institutes of Health, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10616809/. [Accessed: Mar. 12, 2025].