Person functionally cured of HIV after bone marrow transplant from sibling

image via New Scientist

April 13, 2026, 4:10 PM

• •The patient's brother has a rare CCR5Δ32 mutation that confers resistance to HIV.
• •Donor cells replaced the recipient’s bone marrow cells, containing the CCR5Δ32 mutation.
• •No detectable HIV was found in the recipient after the transplant.
• •The treatment is risky and generally reserved for patients needing transplants for other conditions.

A 63-year-old man with HIV has achieved functional remission after receiving a bone marrow transplant from his brother. The brother's bone marrow contained a rare genetic mutation, CCR5Δ32, that prevents HIV from binding to immune cells. This marks the first instance of remission using a sibling donor, indicating a complete engraftment of donor cells. While promising, this treatment remains high-risk and is currently limited to patients with additional medical conditions requiring transplants.

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