Experimental Antibody Sends HIV-Like Virus into Remission for 4 Years in Monkeys, Study Shows

A single dose of an experimental antibody has kept an HIV-like virus in remission for nearly four years in monkeys, according to a study published in Science Translational Medicine. The research, led by scientists at the National Institutes of Health and Emory University, tested the antibody in rhesus macaques infected with simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV), a hybrid virus used to model HIV. After receiving the antibody, the monkeys experienced a rapid decline in viral load, and the virus remained undetectable in the blood for up to 3.7 years without further treatment. This is one of the longest remission periods achieved with a single intervention in a nonhuman primate model. The antibody works by targeting the virus and also boosting the immune system's own response, a dual mechanism that may help control the virus long-term. If similar results can be achieved in humans, this approach could lead to a functional cure for HIV, reducing the need for daily antiretroviral therapy. The findings highlight the potential of antibody-based therapies as a path toward long-term remission or even a cure for HIV, offering hope for millions living with the virus worldwide.