In a rare medical milestone, a German man has become only the seventh person in the 40-year history of AIDS epidemic to be completely cured of HIV.

The 60-year-old German, who wished to remain anonymous, recovered after receiving a stem transplant, the doctors announced on Thursday (Jul 18).

The man underwent the painful and risky procedure which is reserved only for those who have both HIV and&nbsp;acute myeloid leukemia, or AML. He received the stem cell transplant in October 2015 and&nbsp;stopped taking his antiretroviral drugs in September 2018.&nbsp;

Since then, he remains in viral remission with no rebound as confirmed by multiple ultra-sensitive tests that detected no viable HIV in his body.&nbsp;

“A healthy person has many wishes, a sick person only one," the man reflected on his HIV-free status.&nbsp;

The findings of the case are expected to be presented&nbsp;at the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich by&nbsp;Dr. Christian Gaebler, a physician-scientist at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin.&nbsp;

“The longer we see these HIV remissions without any HIV therapy, the more confidence we can get that we’re probably seeing a case where we really have eradicated all competent HIV,” said&nbsp;Gaebler.&nbsp;

Gaebler, however, had tempered the expectation saying "the patient's case is highly suggestive of an HIV cure". The treatment given to the German patient is not available to nearly 40 million people living with the deadly virus across the world.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/3-women-contract-hiv-after-getting-vampire-facial-at-new-mexico-spa-716023" target="_blank">Watch |&nbsp;3 women contract HIV after getting ‘vampire facial’ at New Mexico spa</a>

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<h2>Who was the first patient to be cured?</h2>

Timothy Ray Brown, nicknamed the 'Berlin Patient' was the first person to be declared HIV-free back in 2008.&nbsp;Brown was diagnosed positive in 1995 while attending university.&nbsp;

Akin to the seventh patient, Brown also had leukaemia and received a stem cell transplant in 2007 after which HIV was no longer found in his blood.&nbsp;Brown died from cancer in 2020.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/california-man-cured-of-cancer-and-hiv-after-stem-cell-treatment-in-stunning-medical-recovery-694166" target="_blank">Also read |&nbsp;California man ‘cured’ of cancer and HIV after stem cell treatment in stunning medical recovery</a>

<h2>Breakthrough trial</h2>

Earlier this month,&nbsp;a breakthrough clinical trial conducted in South Africa and Uganda claimed that&nbsp;biannual injection of a new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug gives young women total protection from HIV infection.

As many as 5,000 participants were enrolled for the study, sponsored by Gilead Sciences,&nbsp;at three sites in Uganda and 25 sites in South Africa to test the&nbsp;efficacy of Lenacapavir and two other drugs.

During the randomised trial, none of the 2,314 women who received the injection of&nbsp; Lenacapavir contracted HIV, which suggested the efficacy was 100 per cent.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In a rare medical milestone, a German man has become only the seventh person in the 40-year history of AIDS epidemic to be completely cured of HIV. The 60-year-old German, who wished to remain anonymous, recovered after receiving a stem transplant, the doctors announced on Thursday (Jul 18).

In a rare medical milestone, a German man has become only the seventh person in the 40-year history of AIDS epidemic to be completely cured of HIV. The 60-year-old German, who wished to remain anonymous, recovered after receiving a stem transplant, the doctors announced on Thursday (Jul 18). The man underwent the painful and risky procedure which is reserved only for those who have both HIV and acute myeloid leukemia, or AML. He received the stem cell transplant in October 2015 and stopped taking his antiretroviral drugs in September 2018. Since then, he remains in viral remission with no rebound as confirmed by multiple ultra-sensitive tests that detected no viable HIV in his body. “A healthy person has many wishes, a sick person only one," the man reflected on his HIV-free status. The findings of the case are expected to be presented at the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich by Dr. Christian Gaebler, a physician-scientist at the Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin. “The longer we see these HIV remissions without any HIV therapy, the more confidence we can get that we’re probably seeing a case where we really have eradicated all competent HIV,” said Gaebler. Gaebler, however, had tempered the expectation saying "the patient's case is highly suggestive of an HIV cure". The treatment given to the German patient is not available to nearly 40 million people living with the deadly virus across the world. Watch | 3 women contract HIV after getting ‘vampire facial’ at New Mexico spa Who was the first patient to be cured? Timothy Ray Brown, nicknamed the 'Berlin Patient' was the first person to be declared HIV-free back in 2008. Brown was diagnosed positive in 1995 while attending university. Akin to the seventh patient, Brown also had leukaemia and received a stem cell transplant in 2007 after which HIV was no longer found in his blood. Brown died from cancer in 2020. Also read | California man ‘cured’ of cancer and HIV after stem cell treatment in stunning medical recovery Breakthrough trial Earlier this month, a breakthrough clinical trial conducted in South Africa and Uganda claimed that biannual injection of a new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug gives young women total protection from HIV infection. As many as 5,000 participants were enrolled for the study, sponsored by Gilead Sciences, at three sites in Uganda and 25 sites in South Africa to test the efficacy of Lenacapavir and two other drugs. During the randomised trial, none of the 2,314 women who received the injection of Lenacapavir contracted HIV, which suggested the efficacy was 100 per cent. (With inputs from agencies)

MIRACLE! German man becomes only 7th person to be cured of HIV

Cancer claims the lives of over 10 million people annually, but doctors in the UK have turned to new experimental gene therapy to cure the disease.

Gravitas: UK: Doctors cure leukaemia using new gene therapy

Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin has died at the age of 96. Zemin rose to power after the Tiananmen Square protest in 1989. According to the local media, Zemin died due to Leukemia and multiple organ failure in Shanghai.

Breaking News: Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin dies aged 96

A diagnosis of blood cancer can indeed be a shock to a patient. But there are those who calm themselves down and continue on their path with focus, defying odds to achieve a great feat. Tale of 17-year-old Pramita Tiwari certainly exemplifies the indomitable human spirit which many of us forget to find within ourselves. Pramita, a resident of Lucknow in north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh scored 97.75 per cent in Indian School Certificate (ISC) examination, all when she battled cancer.

Pramita started experiencing symptoms during Covid induced lockdowns. When her parents got her tested, the family came to know that she was suffering from Acute Minor Leukemia (blood cancer). Her parents stood by her side firmly and her treatment began. She received treatment in Lucknow and Gurugram.

"I didn't have a consistent schedule due to my untimely sickness &amp; hospital visits. However much I could read, I read with full concentration... my aim is to become a doctor," she said as quoted by ANI.

She has been quoted in media reports as saying that she studied even during her visits to hospital.

Times of India said that her school arranged online classes for her and even arranged for her to take her exam in Gurugram when she was receiving treatment.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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A diagnosis of blood cancer can indeed be a shock to a patient. But there are those who calm themselves down and continue on their path with focus, defying odds to achieve a great feat.

A diagnosis of blood cancer can indeed be a shock to a patient. But there are those who calm themselves down and continue on their path with focus, defying odds to achieve a great feat. Tale of 17-year-old Pramita Tiwari certainly exemplifies the indomitable human spirit which many of us forget to find within ourselves. Pramita, a resident of Lucknow in north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh scored 97.75 per cent in Indian School Certificate (ISC) examination, all when she battled cancer. Pramita started experiencing symptoms during Covid induced lockdowns. When her parents got her tested, the family came to know that she was suffering from Acute Minor Leukemia (blood cancer). Her parents stood by her side firmly and her treatment began. She received treatment in Lucknow and Gurugram. "I didn't have a consistent schedule due to my untimely sickness & hospital visits. However much I could read, I read with full concentration... my aim is to become a doctor," she said as quoted by ANI. She has been quoted in media reports as saying that she studied even during her visits to hospital. Times of India said that her school arranged online classes for her and even arranged for her to take her exam in Gurugram when she was receiving treatment. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Indian teen battles cancer and scores 97.75 per cent in ISC exams

Leukemia has not stopped 17-year-old barber Mohammed Firas, known as Hamad, from participating in nationwide anti-government protests that have swept Iraq since October 1. The barber has set up a tent and moved his equipment to Tahrir Square where he is helping protesters stay fresh by giving them free haircuts and beard trims. #TahrirSquare #FreeHaircuts #Hamad

Teenage cancer patient ensures Iraqi protesters stay fresh with free haircuts

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