Achieving lasting remission for HIV
In a significant advancement in the fight against HIV, researchers have reported promising results from two independent trials that suggest the possibility of a “functional” cure for the virus. Currently, around 40 million people globally live with HIV, a condition that has transitioned from a death sentence to a manageable chronic illness due to the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy. However, lifelong dependence on these medications has been a persistent challenge, as no definitive cure has been found. The recent breakthroughs from the FRESH and RIO trials indicate that long-term viral control without continuous treatment might be achievable.
The FRESH trial, conducted by virologist Thumbi Ndung’u and his team in South Africa, involved 20 participants who received infusions of engineered antibodies. Remarkably, four of these individuals maintained undetectable levels of HIV for an average of 1.5 years after the treatment concluded, showcasing the potential for sustained viral suppression. Similarly, the RIO trial, led by Sarah Fidler at Imperial College London, involved 34 participants from the UK and Denmark, with six individuals managing to keep their viral loads under control for at least two years post-treatment. These findings not only highlight the effectiveness of engineered antibodies in controlling HIV but also offer hope for a future where individuals living with the virus may not need to rely on daily medication to stay healthy.
As researchers continue to explore these promising avenues, the implications of such breakthroughs could be transformative for the millions living with HIV. Both trials underscore the potential of innovative therapies that could lead to a new era in HIV treatment, shifting the focus from lifelong medication to a more manageable and sustainable approach to living with the virus. The ongoing research holds the promise of enhancing the quality of life for HIV-positive individuals and potentially paving the way toward a functional cure that could change the landscape of HIV management forever.
Around the world, some 40 million people are living with HIV. And though progress in treatment means the infection isn’t the death sentence it once was, researchers have never been able to bring about a cure. Instead, HIV-positive people must take a cocktail of antiretroviral drugs for the rest of their lives.
But in 2025, researchers reported a breakthrough that suggests that a “functional” cure for HIV—a way to keep HIV under control long-term without constant treatment—may indeed be possible. In two independent trials using infusions of engineered antibodies, some participants remained healthy without taking antiretrovirals, long after the interventions ended.
In one of the trials—the
FRESH trial
, led by virologist Thumbi Ndung’u of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Africa Health Research Institute in South Africa—four of 20 participants maintained undetectable levels of HIV for a median of 1.5 years without taking antiretrovirals. In the other, the
RIO trial
set in the United Kingdom and Denmark and led by Sarah Fidler, a clinical doctor and HIV research expert at Imperial College London, six of 34 HIV-positive participants have maintained viral control for at least two years.
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