HIV Fully Eliminated in Newborn Primates, Oregon Team Finds

A Potential Breakthrough Against HIV

According to НВ — Техно: HIV remains a major challenge for global health, especially for newborns. Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) report that a three-part drug regimen, given immediately after exposure, completely wiped out the virus in infant primates. The treatment combines standard antiretroviral drugs, broadly neutralizing antibodies, and the experimental monoclonal antibody leronlimab. According to the scientists, starting therapy at the very onset of infection was critical to the outcome.

Study Design and What Happened

The work was carried out by specialists at OHSU using primates from the National Primate Research Centers in Oregon and California. Infant primates received the experimental treatment within 72 hours of being infected. The protocol consisted of three components: antiretroviral therapy to suppress viral replication, broadly neutralizing antibodies to limit HIV spread and lower its levels in the blood, and leronlimab, an experimental monoclonal antibody that attaches to the CCR5 protein on immune cells.

In earlier experiments, each approach had been tested alone, and none succeeded in eradicating HIV. The triple combination, however, produced a synergistic effect, opening up fresh possibilities for HIV treatment. The researchers now want to learn whether the same benefit can be achieved if therapy is delayed until one or two weeks after infection.

Globally, more than 120,000 infants become infected with HIV each year, and the epidemic claims roughly 600,000 lives annually. The next step is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this regimen in clinical trials involving adults who have recently been exposed to the virus. Because primates and humans share important anatomical and immunological similarities, further study could bring valuable insights.

If human trials deliver comparable results, this approach may reshape how HIV is prevented and treated, particularly in regions with high infection rates. It might also help researchers adapt the therapy for people at recent exposure, expanding options for stopping HIV from taking hold.

As researchers continue to explore innovative treatments for HIV, it's essential to consider how viruses can evade the immune system. Recent findings reveal that dead cells may serve as hidden refuges for viruses, complicating efforts to combat infections. Understanding these mechanisms could further enhance strategies to eliminate HIV, particularly in vulnerable populations like newborns.