A groundbreaking HIV cure trial has shown promising results in achieving antiretroviral therapy (ART)-free virus control.

The trial showed that 20 percent or four participants remain off ART and are virally suppressed after one and a half years.

The study tested a promising HIV treatment approach called combination immunotherapy, where scientists tried to either eliminate or reduce hidden traces of HIV in the body so that the immune system could keep the virus in check without the need for lifelong medication.

This is the first HIV cure clinical trial in Africa where more than two-thirds of the global HIV burden exists.

The study dubbed FRESH enrolled 20 South African women with a cute HIV-1 infection who were being treated with antiretrovirals soon after they acquired HIV. 

Immune boosters

Once the virus was controlled by ART, researchers administered powerful immune boosters – which helps the immune system fight the virus more effectively. Under close medical supervision, participants then stopped ART to see if their bodies could control the virus on their own.

“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, a Kenyan national and Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE) Programme Director.

Prof Ndungu who is also a professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal added, “This trial is also significant because it proves that complex HIV cure research can be successfully conducted in resource-limited settings where the need is greatest, and highlights the importance of including African populations in global scientific advancement.”

The trial results showed that 30% of participants (six out of 20) were able to stay off HIV treatment for nearly a year, and 20% (four participants) remained off treatment until the trial ended at 55 weeks.

Without medication

Even after the trial, these four individuals, who are still closely monitored, have continued without medication for an average of one and a half years.

The research was led by the HIV Pathogenesis Programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Africa Health Research Institute.

The rest are the Ragon Institute of MassGeneral, MIT and Harvard, and Gilead Sciences.

The results of the study were presented at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), last week in San Francisco.

 The clamor for a cure 

Since the identification of HIV in the 1980s scientists have been clamoring to understand the virus better and develop efficient treatment regimens that lessen the severity of the disease and extend life to typical life expectancy numbers.

To date, ART therapy has been the most successful intervention against HIV achieving decreased viral load and preventing transmission to others including children born by mothers with HIV.

Even so, ART does not cure HIV and those with HIV have to take medication for the rest of their lives which was a multi-layered challenge said professor Thumbi Ndungu while being interviewed on health-based news channel, Contagion Live.

One of the challenges that has become evident in the country in recent days is whether the country can sustain the acquisition of ART which is heavily reliant on donors alongside other funding for HIV related costs.

This came after President Donald Trump was sworn into office, and subsequently discontinued foreign aid which extends to medical support that was enjoyed by countries like Kenya. 

The immediate and dramatic suspension of essential HIV programs has cast a cloud of worry on the possible reversal of decades of progress towards managing the HIV epidemic.

Speaking during a media briefing Dr Patrick Amoth, director general of Health expressed confidence in the country’s ability to continue implementing HIV programs.

“Kenya has made remarkable progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, with 98% of people living with HIV aware of their status and on treatment, and 94% achieving viral suppression. The Ministry is actively engaging with other development partners and investing in local pharmaceutical manufacturing to prevent treatment disruptions.”

Whether this will happen remains to be seen in the coming months as events unfold.

Just last year a large clinical trial showed that a drug known as lenacapavir can offer total protection from HIV when injected twice a year. The study which was sponsored by Gilead was touted as the biggest breakthrough in HIV study.

Discussions are ongoing to expand manufacturing and possibly share patents to make the drug available to the most needy populations.