Norwegian man reported in long-term remission from HIV after brother's stem cell donation

A Norwegian patient known as the "Oslo patient" received a stem cell transplant from his brother and, after five years of testing, shows no detectable functioning HIV while off medication.

A Norwegian patient with HIV received a stem cell transplant from his brother while being treated for a rare blood cancer. Researchers at Oslo University Hospital found the donor carried a genetic mutation that removes a receptor HIV uses to enter white blood cells. After close monitoring, the patient stopped HIV medication two years after the transplant and had no detectable functioning HIV DNA at four and five years, as reported in Nature Microbiology. He is described as the tenth person worldwide to be in long-term remission, and clinicians note the procedure carries serious risks including graft-versus-host disease and up to 20% early mortality in some series. Key facts: - The transplant was performed to treat the patient's blood cancer; the donor was the patient's brother. - The donor's stem cells carried a genetic mutation that removed an HIV entry receptor on immune cells. - The patient discontinued antiretroviral therapy two years after the transplant and showed no detectable functioning HIV DNA at four- and five-year checks. - The team reported the case in Nature Microbiology and characterizes the patient as the tenth person in long-term remission from HIV. - Transplants of this type are high-risk; the Oslo patient experienced graft-versus-host disease and such procedures can carry significant early mortality. Summary: The report adds to understanding of HIV pathology and how genetically resistant stem cells can alter T cell behavior. Researchers say the findings may guide development of future cure approaches that are more accessible and replicable. Undetermined at this time whether this approach can be made safe and scalable for wider use.