News & Media > Media reports of a cure for HIV are premature

Media reports of a cure for HIV are premature

Wednesday 5 October 2016

On 3 October 2016 there was some information in the media regarding the RIVER study that could be misleading and needs clarification.

The Sunday Times yesterday reported that HIV had become undetectable in the blood of one man taking part in the RIVER study, a trial of an intensive treatment regimen designed to test whether it is possible to reduce levels of HIV-infected cells in the bodies of people recently infected with HIV. The researchers hope that the treatment may eradicate HIV infection altogether.

The Sunday Times reported that British scientists are on the "brink of an HIV cure". In fact, the study is still in its early stages and will not be able to describe participants as "cured" until extensive follow-up has taken place. Investigator Professor Sarah Fidler of Imperial College, London, told The Sunday Times that participants in the study will be followed for five years.

More information can be found in the following links:

http://www.aidsmap.com/page/3087965/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37545953

http://www.nihr.ac.uk/newsroom/hiv-cure-hope-thanks-to-collaboration/3874