Diabetes drug metformin hints at long-term HIV control after stopping therapy

New immunology research links specific immune-cell patterns and two genes (DDIT4 and ZNF254) to longer ART-free control of HIV; metformin can activate one of these mechanisms to keep HIV dormant, delaying or potentially preventing rebound after treatment interruption. Analyses of ART-interruption trials showed higher levels of stem cell–memory CD8+ T cells and certain natural killer cells associated with slower rebound. This supports a block-and-lock strategy using metformin or similar drugs, with preclinical and clinical testing planned by the HOPE Collaboratory to pursue HIV silencing while reducing inflammation.