Scientists Delete HIV from Human Cells in World-First Breakthrough

In a historic leap forward for HIV research, scientists have successfully deleted the HIV genome from living human immune cells and, in a separate advance, exposed hidden reservoirs of the virus using mRNA technology. The twin breakthroughs—unveiled by researchers in the Netherlands and Australia—could form the foundation for the first curative treatment for HIV.

The findings have been described as a “watershed moment” in the four-decade battle against a virus that has claimed nearly 40 million lives worldwide.

Gene editing cuts HIV out at the source

At Amsterdam UMC, a team led by Dr Elena Herrera-Carrillo used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to completely excise HIV-1 DNA from infected human T-cells in the lab. The gene-editing tool—often referred to as “molecular scissors”—was programmed to target and cut highly conserved regions of the virus’s genome, effectively removing its blueprint from the cell’s DNA.

“After editing, not only was the viral DNA gone, but the cells were resistant to reinfection,” the researchers said. The work was presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases earlier this year, where experts praised the approach as a crucial step towards a one-time treatment that could eliminate the virus entirely.

Although still at the proof-of-concept stage, the implications are profound. Current antiretroviral therapies (ART) suppress the virus but cannot remove it. CRISPR offers a potential cure—if it can be delivered safely and comprehensively throughout the body.

Hidden virus brought into the open

In a separate study, scientists at Melbourne’s Peter Doherty Institute developed a lipid nanoparticle delivery system, LNP X, capable of transporting mRNA into the resting white blood cells where HIV hides. These cells, which form part of the body’s immune memory system, have long been regarded as an impenetrable reservoir—shielding the virus from both treatment and immune detection.

The mRNA prompts the infected cells to begin expressing fragments of the virus, effectively exposing their hidden status. “We couldn’t believe the results,” said lead researcher Dr Paula Cevaal. “The expression was so strong and so consistent that we thought there must be an error. But it was real.”

The team described the breakthrough as “previously thought impossible.” The technology now offers a way to force HIV out of hiding—potentially enabling the immune system or other therapies to locate and destroy it.

The holy grail: elimination and exposure

The two discoveries represent the long-sought “delete and destroy” strategy: completely removing the virus from infected cells and revealing latent virus so it can be targeted. Until now, both goals had been elusive.

“Most HIV therapies can only suppress the virus,” said virologist Dr Michael Roche, who was not involved in the studies. “This is the first time we’ve seen both deletion and exposure achieved in human cells. It’s an extraordinary moment.”

The road ahead

While the results are confined to lab studies, scientists are optimistic about the path forward. Both CRISPR and mRNA technologies are already being tested in human trials for other diseases, including cancer and genetic disorders. Excision BioTherapeutics’ gene-editing drug EBT-101—aimed at curing HIV using similar CRISPR techniques—is currently in early-phase human trials in the United States.

Challenges remain, particularly around delivery. HIV hides in tissues across the body, and reaching every reservoir without harming healthy cells will be essential. Safety, precision, and the durability of the response will be key areas of focus in future trials.

Combination therapies may also be required, using a multi-step approach that includes gene editing, viral exposure, and immune-based clearance.

A new chapter in HIV research

Nearly 39 million people around the world live with HIV today. While ART has transformed the disease from a death sentence into a manageable chronic condition, the need for lifelong medication remains. For many, particularly in low-income settings, access to consistent treatment is limited.

The hope now is that these discoveries will pave the way for curative therapies that could be administered once, rather than for life.

“This doesn’t mean we have a cure today,” said Dr Cevaal. “But it means we can now see the path to one.”

The scientific community agrees: for the first time in decades, the idea of truly curing HIV no longer feels theoretical. It feels tangible.

Background: HIV by the numbers

• Estimated deaths from AIDS-related illness: ~40 million
• Current global HIV population: ~39 million
• First reported cases: Early 1980s
• Number of known cured patients: 5 (via complex stem cell transplants)

What happens next?

• Pre-clinical trials: Further studies to confirm results in animal models
• Clinical trials: Human testing to assess safety and efficacy
• Combination research: Investigating how CRISPR and mRNA exposure can be used together
• Global access planning: Preparing for future scalable treatment models

For the millions living with HIV, and for the researchers who’ve spent their careers searching for a cure, this week marks hope.

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