Professor Thumbi Ndung'u
Image: Supplied
A groundbreaking HIV trial conducted in Durban has yielded promising results, offering new hope in the fight against the virus.
The study, the first of its kind in Africa, has shown that 20% of participants remain off antiretroviral therapy (ART) while maintaining viral suppression for over a year and a half.
The findings were presented at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in San Francisco, USA, marking a significant milestone in HIV cure research.
The trial tested an innovative method known as combination immunotherapy. This approach aims to eliminate or significantly reduce hidden HIV reservoirs, enabling the immune system to control the virus without lifelong medication.
Participants were given ART shortly after contracting HIV to suppress the virus. Once stable, they received immune-boosting treatments designed to enhance their ability to fight HIV. Under close medical supervision, they then discontinued ART to assess whether their immune systems could independently control the virus.
The trial was led by University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Professor Thumbi Ndung’u, director of basic and translational science at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), the Victor Daitz Chair and director of the SANTHE programme who outlined the importance of these findings.
“While this treatment approach didn’t work for most participants, it represents a crucial step forward in HIV cure research. Understanding how the 20% managed to control the virus without ART can help refine future treatments and improve cure strategies.”
Professor Ndung’u also highlighted the significance of conducting complex HIV research in Africa, where the need for innovative treatments is greatest. “This trial proves that groundbreaking scientific advancements can be successfully carried out in resource-limited settings,” he added.
A statement from UKZN said the study enrolled 20 women—an important step in addressing the underrepresentation of women in HIV cure research. The results showed that six participants (30%) remained off ART for nearly a year, and four (20%) continued without medication for the entire 55-week trial and beyond. These four individuals have now been off treatment for an average of 1.5 years and are still being closely monitored.
The trial was a collaborative effort led by the HIV Pathogenesis Programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), the Africa Health Research Institute, the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT and Harvard, and Gilead Sciences, Inc.