Two more individuals appear to be free of human immunodeficiency virus following stem cell transplants for cancer treatment, according to case presentations at AIDS 2026. If their remission holds, these cases will mark the 12th and 13th documented instances of an HIV cure after the high-risk procedure, offering new biological markers for researchers studying wider functional cure strategies.
The Essen Patient and Hepatitis B Co-Infection
The case of the Essen Patient stands out because he is the first person with HIV and hepatitis B co-infection to achieve apparent viral remission following a stem cell transplant. While stem cell transplantation remains far too dangerous for people who do not have advanced cancer, tracking how the Essen Patient’s immune system cleared both viruses provides unique data for future clinical trials.
The Kansas City Patient and Biological Markers
As the youngest individual to achieve this status, the Kansas City Patient offers researchers critical insight into the biological markers associated with long-term HIV remission.
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Translating Rare Cases Into Widely Accessible Cures
Frequently Asked Questions
Are stem cell transplants a cure for everyone with HIV?
What makes the Essen Patient case unique?
The Essen Patient is the first documented individual with both HIV and hepatitis B co-infection to appear free of active HIV following a stem cell transplant.
How many people have been cured of HIV to date?
If current remissions hold, the Essen Patient and the Kansas City Patient will represent the 12th and 13th recorded cases of an HIV cure globally.
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