Bone marrow translplant "cures" HIV

[silentstriker]

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5h...OEXNAD94DSGLG0

VITSTL. I'm trying to find actual published articles in the literature. For obvious reasons, allogeneic bone marrow transplants have the potential to cure a lot of things - part of the reason why they are used over autologous transplants, but I hadn't heard of it curing HIV before. Of course, the issue is whether it is a one-off or not, and the fact that allogeneic transplants are extremely risky makes this an unlikely treatment for most. But still very interesting.

Can't wait until we have a Gattaca tbh.

[sledger]

Staggering really, let's hope it's not just a one off.

[silentstriker]

Originally Posted by sledger

Staggering really, let's hope it's not just a one off.

Even if it isn't, the fact is that most people [who can afford treatment] now live a long time with HIV, and this treatment is too risky to be used as a cure for most people. The problem is that once HIV causes AIDS, they would probably be too weak to undergo this treatment. And before that point, the risk vs reward ratio might be too great. You just have to find that point where HIV just begins to get out of control and perhaps try it then.

[andmark]

Originally Posted by sledger

Staggering really, let's hope it's not just a one off.

AWTA, my father put his name on the British bone marrow transplant list. When he had been offered to save someone's life the (it was a perfect match), my father was up for it. But the patient strangely said. Still a mystery why they refused.

[silentstriker]

Originally Posted by andmark

AWTA, my father put his name on the British bone marrow transplant list. When he had been offered to save someone's life the (it was a perfect match), my father was up for it. But the patient strangely said. Still a mystery why they refused.

Bone marrow transplants, especially from donors is a very long, painful and dangerous procedure. The family may have changed their minds about undergoing the procedure. It happens.