▼ Summary
– Philip Goulder researches whether children could hold the key to an HIV cure, focusing on those infected at birth in South Africa.
– Early antiretroviral treatment in HIV-positive children led to unexpected remission in five cases, despite treatment interruptions.
– A study revealed these children maintained undetectable viral loads for months without regular medication, defying typical HIV rebound patterns.
– Recent research shows 5% of children treated early suppress HIV to negligible levels, suggesting unique immune advantages.
– Experts believe children may be the first population to achieve widespread HIV cure breakthroughs due to their immune responses.
Groundbreaking research reveals that early antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive children can lead to undetectable viral levels, offering new hope for potential cures.
Philip Goulder, a leading pediatric immunologist at the University of Oxford, has spent years exploring an intriguing possibility: children might hold the key to unlocking an HIV cure. His work in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province focused on tracking hundreds of children who contracted HIV from their mothers during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. These children received antiretroviral drugs early in life to suppress the virus, but something unexpected emerged over time.
Five of these children stopped attending clinic visits to collect their medication. When researchers finally located them months later, tests showed their viral loads were undetectable, a remarkable finding since HIV typically rebounds within weeks without treatment. In a study published last year, Goulder confirmed that all five remained in remission, with one child maintaining this state for 17 months without regular medication. This discovery suggests that children may achieve long-term viral suppression more effectively than adults, reshaping the search for an HIV cure.
At the recent International AIDS Society conference in Rwanda, Alfredo Tagarro, a pediatrician from Madrid, presented further evidence supporting this breakthrough. His research found that approximately 5% of children treated with antiretrovirals within six months of birth successfully suppressed their HIV viral reservoirs, the cells containing the virus’s genetic material, to nearly undetectable levels. “Children’s unique immune responses make them prime candidates for pioneering HIV cure strategies,” Tagarro explained.
These findings highlight a promising shift in HIV research, emphasizing the potential for early intervention in pediatric cases to achieve lasting remission. While challenges remain, the progress offers renewed optimism that a functional cure for HIV could emerge first in children, paving the way for broader advancements in treatment.
(Source: Ars Technica)