New HIV research raises hope for potential cure strategy

THOUSAND PALMS, CALIF. (KESQ)- A new study led by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University⁠ is raising hope that scientists could be getting closer to a new way of eliminating HIV.

The study, published Aug. 10, 2026, in Nature Microbiology, was led by Dr. Jonah Sacha and Dr. Nancy Haigwood of Oregon Health & Science University, along with collaborators at the Oregon and California National Primate Research Centers.

A total of 55 infant rhesus macaques received different treatment combinations starting 72 hours after infection. The full regimen combined three approaches: standard antiretroviral therapy, broadly neutralizing antibodies and leronlimab, an experimental antibody that blocks the CCR5 receptor HIV uses to enter immune cells.

Medical experts have highlighted the significance of the findings while noting the biological mechanics of the virus. Dr. Jorge E. Rodriguez serves as medical director of HIV services at Eisenhower Health.

“After they stopped the treatment, they followed these little monkey babies for a whole year and the virus did not reappear, which is really astounding,” Rodriguez said. He explained how traditional treatment compares to a cure.

“You stop the treatment, the gorilla will rush in,” Rodriguez said. “That's what happens with HIV. You stop the treatment. The cure is when we block the door, the gorilla doesn't come in. We get away from the door and the gorilla is gone and the HIV is gone.”

While the results mark progress in primate testing, health professionals emphasize that the approach is not yet a cure for humans. Rodriguez noted that any potential human application remains years away. “This is not around the corner,” Rodriguez said.

“You know and I would expect anything, anywhere from 6 to 10 years before something like this becomes viable and sort of state of the art.” He added that progress could affect the local community.

“We have one of the highest percentages of people living with HIV in the whole country,” Rodriguez said. “So what it could mean for the Valley is that we will have healthier people.”

The evolving landscape of HIV care is reflected in the experiences of long-term survivors. Rev. Dr. Dee Calmett has been living with HIV for more than 40 years.

“When you were first diagnosed with HIV, nobody knew what it was. And the newspapers called it the gay plague.. it was devastating,” Calmett said. She recalled the early years of the epidemic.

“I will say that probably 300 of my close friends 300 close friends died the first year of it,” Calmett said. Over the decades, she has observed major advances in medical options. “I've watched more than 40 years now how the regimen for our treatment has become better,” Calmett said.

For Calmett, ongoing research and personal awareness remain vital components in addressing the virus. She emphasized the importance of individuals understanding their health status as science progresses. “Knowledge is power,” Calmett said. “You cannot fight against what you don't know.”