Research Highlights | ART-Free HIV Remission

Why It Matters

Early ART offers a realistic pathway to eliminate lifelong medication for millions of children, transforming global HIV treatment strategies and public‑health budgets.

Key Takeaways

• Initiating ART within 48 hours reduces HIV reservoir in newborns
• Four of six infants maintained ART‑free remission for ≥48 weeks
• One child remained virus‑free for 1.5 years before rebound
• Early treatment proof‑of‑concept builds on 2013 Mississippi baby case
• Findings may eliminate lifelong ART for millions of HIV‑positive children

Summary

The Lancet HIV study led by Johns Hopkins demonstrates that initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) within 48 hours of birth can dramatically limit the formation of the latent HIV reservoir in perinatal infections, opening the possibility of ART‑free remission.

In a multinational trial of 54 infants, six met criteria for a supervised treatment interruption. Four of those maintained undetectable viral loads for at least 48 weeks without ART, and one remained virus‑free for 1.5 years before a delayed rebound, illustrating that early ART can keep the reservoir silenced for extended periods.

The work builds on the 2013 “Mississippi baby” case, the first reported instance of ART‑free remission, and was conducted across 30 sites in 11 countries under the NIH‑sponsored IMPAACT network, underscoring its broad relevance.

If replicated, these findings could shift the standard of care for the estimated 1.4 million children living with HIV, reducing lifelong drug exposure, side‑effects, and costs while accelerating cure‑oriented research.

Original Description

Deborah Persaud, director of pediatric infectious diseases, discusses her latest research findings, which focus on inducing antiretroviral therapy (ART)-free remission in perinatal HIV. This research is paving the way for novel approaches to HIV treatment. #antiretroviraltherapy #johnshopkins #hiv https://www.hopkinschildrens.org/id