A groundbreaking HIV cure trial conducted in Durban, South Africa, has demonstrated promising results in achieving antiretroviral therapy (ART)-free virus control, marking a significant step forward in HIV cure research.
The trial revealed that 20% of participants remained off ART and were virally suppressed even after one-and-a-half years.
The results of the study were presented at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in San Francisco, USA, in March. Researchers tested an innovative HIV treatment strategy known as combination immunotherapy, designed to help the immune system control the virus without lifelong medication.
A New Approach to HIV Treatment
The study, the first HIV cure clinical trial conducted in Africa, involved treating participants with antiretrovirals soon after they acquired HIV.
Once the virus was controlled, researchers administered powerful immune-boosters to strengthen the immune response. Under close medical supervision, participants then stopped ART to assess whether their bodies could control the virus on their own.
A total of 20 women were enrolled in the trial—an important milestone given that women are disproportionately affected by HIV yet often underrepresented in cure research. The trial’s results showed that 30% of participants (six out of 20) were able to remain off ART for nearly a year, while 20% (four participants) continued without treatment until the trial ended at 55 weeks. Even after the trial’s conclusion, these four individuals, who are still under close medical observation, have maintained viral suppression without medication for an average of 1.5 years.
A Major Step Forward in HIV Research
Although the treatment approach did not work for all participants, experts believe the findings are a critical breakthrough in HIV cure research.
“While this treatment approach didn’t work for most participants, it is still a significant development in HIV cure research. Studying how the 20% managed to control the virus on their own will help scientists develop better HIV cure strategies, as well as work out ways to improve future treatments,” said Professor Thumbi Ndung’u, director for basic and translational science at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) and a professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Professor Ndung’u also highlighted the trial’s broader impact, emphasizing its success in a resource-limited setting where the need for effective HIV treatments is greatest. “This trial is also significant because it proves that complex HIV cure research can be successfully conducted in resource-limited settings and highlights the importance of including African populations in global scientific advancements,” he added.
Collaborative Effort in HIV Cure Research
The research was led by the HIV Pathogenesis Programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the Africa Health Research Institute, the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT and Harvard, and Gilead Sciences, Inc.
This study represents a major step in the quest for an HIV cure and provides a foundation for future research aimed at eliminating the virus without the need for lifelong treatment.
