In this episode of Going anti-Viral, host Dr Michael Saag interviews Adam Castillejo, known as the London patient, who is the second person to have been cured of HIV infection. The discussion, recorded on March 3, 2024, at The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), touches on Adam's initial HIV diagnosis in London during the early 2000s, the societal stigma and personal impact of the diagnosis, and his dual battle with HIV and cancer. Adam shares the complex journey of his treatment, including the failure of initial interventions and the ultimate success of a bone marrow transplant from a donor with a CCR5 delta 32 mutation, leading to his cure of HIV and cancer. The conversation delves into the technical aspects of bone marrow transplant, the emotional and physical challenges Adam faced during recovery, and the continued stigma he experiences even post-cure. The episode reflects on the broader implications of Adam's story for HIV research and societal perceptions of the disease.

00:00 Introduction

01:10 Adam's Early Struggle with HIV Diagnosis

02:46 Confronting Stigma and Finding Support

05:26 The Battle Against Cancer and Mental Health Challenges

08:35 The Turning Point: Bone Marrow Transplant

15:14 The Journey of Recovery

17:29 Life After the Cure

22:37 Concluding Thoughts


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