3 ms·
Yes, a few times if I recall correctly. It's just not particularly accessible treatment (for HIV) as it requires the complete destruction of the host immune sys
by Kognito 5y ago
Yes, a few times if I recall correctly. It's just not particularly accessible treatment (for HIV) as it requires the complete destruction of the host immune system and essentially 're-growing' a new one - hence this is usually a pleasant side-effect of treating certain cancers.
- phkahler 5y agoIIRC that procedure has something like a 50/50 chance of not working and leaving the patient dead with no immune system. It's a hail Marry treatment for cancers that are about to kill you anyway. Really cool that using the right donor can cure HIV, but not useful as a general treatment at any cost due to the high failure rate.
- rincebrain 5y agoIIUC, the other people it's not quite as good - they still test positive but don't need to take antivirals, whereas the Berlin patient doesn't. [1] The suspicion of it requiring triggering GvHD is exceedingly terrifying as a dice roll, though. [1] - https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23431244-400-immune-war-with-donor-cells-after-transplant-may-wipe-out-hiv/ https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23431244-400-immune-w...