Congressional Briefing Highlights CGT Research for HIV
Paula Cannon, PhD - December 18, 2024
We heard from two researchers as well as Paul Edmonds, who shared his experience as one of the few people who have been cured of HIV.
On Dec. 4, following World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT) hosted a research briefing titled Cell & Gene Therapy Approaches for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virtual event brought together researchers, policymakers, and a patient advocate to discuss the progress and challenges in using cell and gene therapies (CGTs) to treat HIV. The session highlighted the importance of ongoing research and advocacy to advance innovative science, with an eye on potentially curative therapies for a devastating virus.
I want to thank my fellow panelists for their insights and contributions:
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Dr. Boro Dropulic, PhD, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Caring Cross
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Dr. Matt Gardner PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
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Paul Edmonds, “City of Hope Patient” and HIV/AIDS Advocate
The presentations and discussion provided attendees with a deeper understanding of the scientific, clinical, and personal aspects of HIV treatment and research. This briefing was hosted to allow bipartisan and bicameral Congressional staff to learn about HIV and CGTs, and to explain how the two are coming together in labs around the world to explore new treatment options.
I opened the briefing with an overview of HIV, explaining why it remains challenging to cure despite the availability of effective antiretroviral therapies (ART). While ARTs do a good job of suppressing the virus, it requires strict lifelong adherence and does not eliminate all virus since some HIV can hide as a latent infection. The briefing then introduced the idea that CGTs may be uniquely situated to overcome many of those limitations.
The next two presenters dove deeper into their current research. Dr. Boro Dropulic presented on CAR T-cell therapies, which are designed to target and eliminate HIV-infected cells and are now entering clinical trials. Dr. Matt Gardner offered research on AAV gene therapy vectors that aim to enable sustained production of antibodies to control the virus – essentially creating an "antibody factory" within the body.
Finally, it was an incredible honor to be joined by Paul Edmonds, who shared his experience as one of the few people who have been cured of HIV. Paul is known as the “City of Hope Patient,” whose HIV was cured after a stem cell transplant for cancer that he received from a donor carrying the HIV-resistant gene variant CCR5 Delta 32. Paul was able to provide a personal perspective on the impact cell and gene therapies could have for others, and why a curative option might be appealing to people with HIV even with effective ARTs available. As he movingly put it: “I was there at the beginning of the [HIV] pandemic, and I hope to be there at the end.”
This briefing emphasized the importance of continued research and investment in CGTs for HIV. Advocacy remains critical to ensure these advances are accessible to those who need them. The HIV advocacy community, which has long fought for effective treatments and cures, serves as a reminder of how sustained efforts can drive medical progress and improve lives. ASGCT appreciates everyone who gave their time to this briefing, and we hope to continue these important conversations in 2025.
Paula Cannon, PhD, is the president of ASGCT (2024-25) and a Distinguished Professor of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology at USC's Keck School of Medicine.
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