A new experimental HIV treatment has shown promising results in helping some patients control the virus for extended periods without the need for daily medication, according to findings from a major international clinical trial.
Researchers led by scientists at Imperial College London reported that a combination of two broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs) enabled many participants to maintain suppression of the virus after stopping standard antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Antiretroviral therapy is currently the standard treatment for HIV. While it does not cure the infection, it prevents the virus from multiplying, allowing the immune system to remain healthy and reducing the risk of developing AIDS. However, the treatment must be taken continuously throughout a patient’s life.
The new therapy uses specially designed antibodies that target and neutralise HIV, preventing the virus from infecting healthy cells.
The randomised controlled trial involved 68 participants who were assigned to receive either antibody infusions or a placebo. Researchers found that approximately 75 percent of those receiving the antibody treatment were able to remain off their regular HIV medication for at least five months while maintaining control of the virus.
About half of the participants continued to suppress the virus for one year, while around a quarter maintained viral control for up to two years without restarting daily treatment.
Scientists described the findings as a significant step forward in efforts to develop alternative approaches to HIV management and, potentially, future cure strategies.
Researchers involved in the study said the results demonstrate the potential of immune-based therapies to complement existing HIV treatments by helping the body’s natural defenses keep the virus under control.
The study also highlighted the possibility that antibody therapies could reduce the long-term burden of daily medication for some people living with HIV if future trials confirm their effectiveness.
Despite the encouraging results, experts stressed that the treatment remains experimental and is not yet a replacement for standard antiretroviral therapy. Additional research is needed to determine why some participants experienced longer-lasting viral control and whether similar outcomes can be achieved in larger populations.
The ongoing trial includes further monitoring to assess how long viral suppression can be maintained without conventional medication and to better understand the mechanisms behind the treatment’s success.
Health experts say the findings represent one of the most promising developments in HIV research in recent years and could help shape future strategies aimed at achieving long-term remission of the virus.
The study’s results were published in the medical journal The Lancet HIV.
