Story perspectives

Promising Trials Suggest Functional Cure for HIV Remission

12/1/2025

Summary

Story summary

Trials in Africa and Europe suggest a "functional cure" for HIV, enabling remission without antiretroviral therapy.
In the FRESH trial, 4 of 20 participants maintained undetectable HIV for 1.5 years, while in the RIO trial, 6 of 34 did so for at least two years.
Engineered antibodies stimulated immune responses, though researchers caution against labeling participants as functionally cured.
Larger trials are planned to confirm findings and refine HIV treatment.

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Story summary

Trials in Africa and Europe suggest a "functional cure" for HIV, enabling remission without antiretroviral therapy.
In the FRESH trial, 4 of 20 participants maintained undetectable HIV for 1.5 years, while in the RIO trial, 6 of 34 did so for at least two years.
Engineered antibodies stimulated immune responses, though researchers caution against labeling participants as functionally cured.
Larger trials are planned to confirm findings and refine HIV treatment.