Scientists Just Removed HIV From Human Immune Cells Using Crispr Gene Editing

2025-06-30

A First Breakthrough—CRISPR Successfully Removes HIV-Like Virus from Immune Cells. For the first time in living animals, scientists have used CRISPR gene-editing to excise the SIV virus—closely related to HIV—from the DNA of immune cells. This therapy, developed jointly by Temple University and Excision BioTherapeutics, requires only a single injection to locate and snip out the viral genome hiding within monkey cells. The therapy, known as EBT-101, has now been approved by the FDA to enter human clinical trials.

Why This Matters

Existing Treatments Can't Eliminate the Virus
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses HIV in the bloodstream to undetectable levels, but it can't clear the "viral reservoirs" tucked inside immune-cell DNA. Once treatment stops, the virus resurges.
CRISPR Cuts at the Source
EBT-101 uses CRISPR-Cas9 as molecular scissors to precisely cut HIV segments out of the host DNA. It's delivered via an AAV9 viral vector, and a single dose can reach deep reservoirs like lymph nodes and the spleen.

Preclinical Trial Results

Monkeys were divided into two groups: one received a single intravenous dose of EBT-001 (the SIV version of EBT-101), and the control group got no treatment. Three to six months later, researchers examined key tissues:

Widespread Distribution
CRISPR components were detected in the spleen, lymph nodes, gut, and all major tissues.
Virus Removal
Proviral DNA in critical immune cells was nearly completely excised.
Zero Off-Target Effects
No unintended edits in other genes were observed.
Well Tolerated
No organ damage, immune dysfunction, or systemic toxicity occurred; treated animals remained healthy and even gained weight.

These findings overcame the two biggest hurdles in curing HIV: reaching hidden reservoirs and safely removing the virus without harming host DNA.

What You Can Do While You Wait for New Therapies

Stay on ART
It remains the best way to suppress HIV, protect your immune system, and prevent transmission.
Consider PrEP
If you're HIV-negative but at risk, ask your doctor about pre-exposure prophylaxis—it can cut your infection risk to below 1%.
Follow Trusted Sources
Rely on peer-reviewed journals (e.g., Nature, Science), and agencies like the NIH or CDC. Don't trust unverified online claims.

A Beginning, Not the Finish Line

EBT-001's success in animals and FDA approval for human trials show that "gene-level" removal of HIV is now possible. But clinical studies take time, and not every promising therapy makes it through. Widespread adoption will also require policy support, healthcare equity, and clear communication.

For anyone affected by or interested in HIV: stay on treatment, prioritize prevention, and keep tracking scientific advances. That's how we'll move steadily—and safely—toward a future without HIV.

首次突破──CRISPR 成功從免疫細胞中剔除類 HIV 病毒

科學家首次在活體動物中，運用 CRISPR 基因編輯技術，將與 HIV 密切相關的 SIV 病毒基因從免疫細胞 DNA 中剔除。這項由天普大學與 Excision BioTherapeutics 聯合研發的療法，只需單次注射，就能定位並剪掉藏在猴子細胞裡的病毒基因組。目前，這種名為 EBT-101 的療法已經獲得 FDA 授權，進入人體臨床試驗階段。

為何意義重大？

現有治療無法根除病毒：抗逆轉錄病毒療法（ART）能抑制血液中的 HIV 到檢測不到，但無法清除藏在免疫細胞 DNA 裡的「病毒儲庫」。一旦停藥，病毒又會復發。
CRISPR 從源頭切除：EBT-101 利用 CRISPR-Cas9「分子剪刀」，精準剪斷宿主 DNA 中的 HIV 基因段，並透過 AAV9 病毒載體送入感染細胞，一次注射即可觸及淋巴結、脾臟等深層儲庫。

前臨床試驗成果

研究團隊在猕猴身上分組：部分猕猴單次靜脈注射 EBT-001（EBT-101 的 SIV 版本），對照組則不治療。3 至 6 個月後檢驗：

全身分布：CRISPR 檢測到於脾臟、淋巴結、腸道等所有主要組織中。
病毒剔除：關鍵免疫細胞裡的前病毒 DNA 幾乎完全被移除。
零脫靶：未見對其他基因的誤編輯。
安全耐受：無器官損傷、免疫異常或全身毒性；動物健康狀況穩定，甚至有些個體體重增加。

這些結果同時解決了 HIV 根治研究的兩大瓶頸：觸達潛伏病毒儲庫、以及不傷害宿主基因。

等待新療法普及前，你可以做的事

持續服用 ART：目前最佳的抑制 HIV 方法，能保護免疫系統並預防傳播。
考慮 PrEP：若 HIV 陰性但有感染風險，可諮詢醫師是否適合使用暴露前預防藥物，能將感染機率降至 1% 以下。
關注可信資訊：以 NIH、CDC、或《Nature》、《Science》等同行評審期刊為主，不輕信網路謠傳。

這只是開始，但意義非凡

EBT-001 在動物身上取得成功，加上 FDA 批准人體試驗，顯示「從基因層面清除 HIV」已成為可能。然而，臨床試驗需要時間，並非每項新療法都能最終通過。未來要真正普及，還需要政策支持、醫療公平、以及清晰溝通。

對每一位關心 HIV 的朋友來說：保持治療、重視預防、並持續追蹤科學進展，才能在這場科學與公共衛生的長跑中跑得更遠、更穩。