Three‑Drug Mix Erases HIV in Newborn Monkeys

Each year, more than 120,000 babies are born with HIV. Most people who live with the virus have to take medicine for the rest of their lives, if they can get the drugs.

A research team at Oregon Health & Science University tried a new idea. They gave newborn monkeys three different medicines within three days of birth and the virus vanished.

The results were published in Nature Microbiology. The work involved many scientists and two primate research centers in Oregon and California.

Three Treatments Used Together

For several weeks the newborns received:

• Neutralizing antibodies
• Standard antiretroviral drugs
• An experimental antibody called leronlimab

Each of these medicines had been tested alone before, but none could clear the virus forever. The scientists thought that mixing them might work better.

Dr. Haigwood, a virologist, said they were amazed by the result.

Steps Toward Human Trials

Antiretroviral therapy is already approved for people. The two antibodies are now being tested in separate clinical studies.

Before the three‑drug mix can be given to babies, it must first be tried in humans. The first trials will likely involve adults who have just been exposed to HIV.

If the trials succeed, the approach could help stop the global HIV epidemic, which still kills about 600,000 people each year.

How the Combo Works

Scientists are not sure why the three drugs work so well together. Leronlimab blocks a protein called CCR5 that HIV uses to enter immune cells.

Imagine the virus as a fire:

• Antiretroviral drugs turn down the fuel flow.
• Neutralizing antibodies mop up the fire‑spreading sparks.
• Leronlimab seals the room, keeping any remaining sparks from reaching new wood.

Early Treatment May Be Key

The scientists think giving the combo very early – within the first three days – is crucial. They want to know how long the window stays open.

Future studies will test if the treatment still works a week, two weeks, or longer after infection.

Funding Support

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health and its child health, allergy, and infectious disease institutes, as well as by the Oregon and California National Primate Research Centers.