General

A risky yet promising treatment

Researchers have found a stem cell treatment that may lead to new AIDS therapies

Two years after receiving a transplant of stem cells from a person who has a genetic mutation, CCR5 delta32, that confers immunity to HIV/AIDS, an American living in Germany has been declared free of HIV. The historic case is the subject of a newly published official report in the New England Journal of Medicine. However, physicians warn that the treatment is an extreme and risky measure: a third of patients would die during the transplant. But it could lead to an evolution of new gene therapies that prevent HIV from latching onto receptors that lead to illness.

CNN

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.