Research programs working toward an HIV cure. Covers reservoir reduction, prevention policy, tumor-like tissue models, and vaccine development.
A research team led by Rebecca Schnall is developing a mobile app using existing in-person intervention MyPEEPS to deliver HIV prevention information to diverse young men. The five-year clinical trial will test the effectiveness of the mobile version among 700 racially and ethnically diverse adolescent MSM.
The Einstein-Montefiore and CUNY research team will use the data for their own research projects, addressing scientific clinical and healthcare delivery questions that inform care in Central Africa and beyond. The ongoing study involves over 50,000 HIV-positive children and adults taking anti-retroviral therapy.
A research team from Penn Nursing, University of Michigan School of Nursing and Emory's School of Public Health is awarded a $9 million grant to test an HIV prevention intervention for adolescent men who have sex with men. The iCON intervention offers life skills training and community-based resources through an online app.
A new study published in Nature Medicine found that over 90% of latent HIV 'provirus' genomes are genetic duds, unable to replicate and cause disease. This challenges the current methods for measuring the size of the reservoir, highlighting a need for more accurate counting methods.
Researchers have successfully tested two Zika vaccine candidates in nonhuman primates, demonstrating robust protection against both Brazilian and Puerto Rican strains of the virus. The findings support the advancement of these vaccine candidates to human trials, with phase 1 clinical testing expected to begin later this year.
A New York University study found that marijuana use is associated with increased feelings of self-attractiveness, sociability, and boldness, while also being linked to vaginal dryness. In contrast, alcohol use was more commonly associated with social outgoingness and atypical partner choice, as well as post-sex regret.
A recent study conducted in Tanzania found that an infection with the filarial nematode Wuchereria bancrofti increases the risk of HIV infection by two to three fold. The study revealed a significant association between filarial infections and increased risk of HIV infection, particularly among adolescents and young adults.
A cardiac imaging study showed a correlation between higher inflammatory biomarkers and an increased prevalence of coronary artery disease in men infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Researchers used computed tomography (CT) angiography to detect signs of subclinical CAD, such as narrowed arteries and the amount, density a...
Scientists have discovered specialized killer T cells that can migrate into lymphoid tissue to control hidden infections like HIV and glandular fever. This breakthrough discovery could lead to new therapies to treat chronic infections.
Researchers found that early antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces total HIV DNA levels in the body, which may predict time to viral load rebound after treatment cessation. The study suggests that people with a smaller HIV reservoir size have a greater chance of achieving long-term HIV remission.
Drs. Henry Boom and Moses Joloba at Case Western Reserve University and Makerere University, respectively, have received a $1.5 million five-year grant to strengthen Ugandan biomedical research capacity. The program aims to provide PhD-level training in microbiology and immunology to talented young Ugandan scientists.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina and partner institutions have made significant strides in understanding HIV latency, a key obstacle to eradicating the virus. The team has developed effective strategies, including histone deacetylase inhibitors, to reverse latency and boost the immune system.
The study confirms on-demand PrEP is a highly effective method of reducing the risk of HIV infection. The results show an incidence rate of 0.19 infections per 100 person-years of follow-up, with a significant drop in condom use among participants.
The ANRS 162-4D trial found that patients on a 4-day a week regimen had undetectable viral loads for most of the study period. The innovative strategy aims to improve adherence and reduce drug burden, but more research is needed to confirm its efficacy.
Researchers found that using the dapivirine ring consistently provided significant protection against HIV, with high adherence associated with better HIV protection. The study's results coincide with the start of the HOPE open-label study, which will gather additional information on the ring's safety and effectiveness.
Using a drug-infused vaginal ring most of the time significantly reduced HIV infection risk in women by at least 56 percent, according to an exploratory analysis of data from the ASPIRE study. High adherence was associated with a risk reduction of potentially 75 percent or more.
The HOPE study will build on the ASPIRE trial results, gathering more information on the dapivirine ring's safety and effectiveness in reducing HIV risk. The study aims to understand why the ring works for some women but not others.
Researchers from UCLA have discovered a type of cell called chimeric antigen receptors that can be used to kill HIV-infected cells. CARs are artificially created immune T cells engineered to produce receptors designed to target and kill specific cells containing viruses or tumor proteins.
A new discovery has identified cell markers to target HIV reservoirs, opening new treatment perspectives. The study found that using antibodies specifically binding to these markers could destroy HIV reservoirs and potentially cure infected individuals by allowing them to stop antiretroviral therapy.
A daily PrEP pill can reduce new HIV cases among men who have sex with men (MSM) by a third in the US over 10 years if guidelines are followed, according to a modeling study. The medication is highly effective in preventing HIV infection when used consistently.
Research suggests that prisoners are released without access to medications that control their illnesses, leading to a spike in viral loads and increased risk of transmission. Decreasing incarceration rates for people who inject drugs could reduce the burden of HIV among prisoners.
The US Army's MHRP is part of a collaborative research team awarded $4.6M per year to develop an integrated approach to finding an HIV cure. Researchers will study immune responses generated by therapeutic vaccines and broadly neutralizing antibodies.
Scientists discover galectin-9 potently forces latent HIV out of hiding and poisons the virus, increasing APOBEC3G levels to destroy genetic code. This 'shock and kill' strategy holds promise for a cure, altering treatment approach to eliminate all viral traces from the body.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $30 million in annual funding to six international collaborations working on an HIV cure. The program aims to address the virus's ability to establish a reservoir in immune cells, making it challenging to develop a cure.
Researchers from George Washington University have received a $28 million grant to develop an innovative cell therapy approach to eliminate HIV reservoirs. The project, named 'BELIEVE,' aims to enhance the immune system's ability to kill HIV-infected cells.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill will receive nearly $23 million over five years to study the 'kick and kill' strategy for eradicating HIV. The approach involves waking up latent viruses and boosting the immune system to recognize and clear them.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that financial incentives did not improve health outcomes for HIV-positive people with substance use disorders. The study showed no statistical differences in rates of viral suppression versus non-suppression or death among trial arms.
Researchers are working on vaccines that induce broadly neutralizing antibodies to block a wide range of HIV variants, but the body does not readily make an adequate immune response to HIV infection. Efforts to vaccinate individuals with HIV immunogens have not yet been successful due to this issue.
A new study confirms the efficacy of the RV144 HIV vaccine in macaques, disproving the notion that a stronger adjuvant yields better results. The study found that changing the adjuvant did not improve the vaccine's effectiveness, but instead triggered an immune response at the site of infection.
Jonathan Karn, PhD, an HIV/AIDS expert, has received two Innovation research grants to better understand and ultimately curtail HIV's ability to remain in the body as a persistent viral reservoir. The goal is to shrink the size of, and eventually eliminate the reservoir using hormone therapies.
The Quatro Study will inform ongoing product development efforts by gathering end-user input on four vaginal delivery systems for HIV and multipurpose prevention. The study, recruiting 200 healthy women ages 18-30 in South Africa and Zimbabwe, assesses user experiences of placebos with no active ingredients.
A NIH-led team studied implementation science approaches to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, identifying effective interventions such as baby showers and breastfeeding support. The study found that deploying point-of-care tests and administering pre-exposure prophylaxis were likely cost-effective and resulted in timely initiat...
Researchers at TSRI have advanced efforts to design an AIDS vaccine by stabilizing the HIV Envelope glycoprotein trimer and designing novel nanoparticles that mimic the virus. The stabilization strategy improves the protein's properties, allowing for the creation of HIV-like particles that can prompt the body to fight the real virus.
A new study by NYU researchers found that only 8.3% of high school seniors reported past-year nonmedical opioid use, but when accounting for discordant responses, the prevalence rate is estimated to be 11.1%. This underestimation highlights the need for better drug education and more accurate data to combat the opioid crisis.
A new intervention aims to increase engagement with treatment among African-American/black and Hispanic people living with HIV. The study will use a pioneering engineering-inspired framework - the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) -- to identify effective components and build the most cost-effective package.
Researchers at NYU and Penn State aim to increase engagement in HIV care for African American/Black and Hispanic Patients Living with HIV using a pioneering framework. The study will identify effective intervention components, mediators, and moderators to build the most cost-effective package.
A Johns Hopkins study of 28,000 people with HIV concludes that the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program remains crucial despite the Affordable Care Act's availability. The program provides free medical care to hundreds of thousands of low-income individuals, and its cutbacks could leave many without access to essential services.
A prospective, multinational study investigating virological and immunological changes due to HIV prior to clinical symptoms has identified 112 people with newly acquired infections just days after HIV exposure. The study provides valuable insights into the early stages of HIV infection and its impact on immune defense mechanisms.
A Phase II trial found that autologous stem cell transplant is effective and safe for HIV patients with relapsed/treatment-resistant lymphoma. Patients with HIV had comparable overall survival rates and reduced toxicity compared to non-HIV patients.
Researchers found that half of people newly infected with HIV experience mild to moderate neurologic issues, which usually resolve after starting anti-retroviral therapy. These findings suggest that HIV affects the nervous system within days of infection.
Researchers at Mount Sinai have shown how infected immune cells directly transmit newly minted viral particles to uninfected sister cells, spreading the virus efficiently. This study highlights cell-to-cell transmission as a key route for HIV spread and may help develop new treatments.
Seven pioneers in HIV/AIDS and epigenetics research receive NIDA's Avenir awards to support groundbreaking projects using genome editing, smartphones, and smart health technologies. These early-stage investigators will receive up to $300,000 per year for five years to advance addiction science.
Researchers used RNA simulations to understand how viruses fold into specific shapes, offering potential targets for treating retroviral diseases. The study's findings provide valuable information on the thermodynamic stability of RNA molecules and their behavior in different environments.
The University at Buffalo has partnered with the University of Zimbabwe to launch a five-year HIV research training program, supported by a $1.3 million NIH grant. The program aims to train future HIV researchers and address issues such as maternal-fetal transmission, resistance, and co-infection in Zimbabwe.
A large clinical trial is set to begin in November 2016 to determine the safety and effectiveness of an investigational HIV vaccine regimen. The study, called HVTN 702, will enroll 5,400 adults at risk for HIV infection and assess the regimen's ability to prevent HIV infection among South African adults.
Researchers at Rutgers University and Dartmouth College find that oral drug deferiprone kills HIV-infected cells in lab cultures and suppresses the virus in patients in a limited clinical trial. The treatment approach has potential as a new strategy for destroying the DNA harbored in HIV-infected cells.
Scientists from KU Leuven discover a new way to treat HIV by blocking the virus's attachment to genetic material. Led by Professor Zeger Debyser and Doctoral student Lenard Vranckx, their research sheds light on eliminating the virus.
A recent study highlights the persistence of syphilis in sub-Saharan Africa, where rates have remained higher than in other regions. The research suggests that common risk factors, such as HIV prevalence and connected sexual networks, may be underlying causes of the spread of syphilis in these populations.
Research associates BPD with higher rates of STI/HIV transmission and multiple partnerships, particularly fear of abandonment and impulsivity symptoms. The study highlights the need for proper assessment and diagnosis of BPD to develop targeted interventions for this population.
A Phase 1 clinical trial shows that an antibody-based drug can stimulate patients' immune response, enabling them to make new or better antibodies against HIV. The researchers also found that the antibody was able to engage immune cells and accelerate their clearance of HIV-infected cells.
The US saw an 11% decrease in new HIV infections and a 17% drop in transmission rates from 2010 to 2015. However, the country fell short of its goal to reduce these numbers by 25% and 30%, respectively.
A University of Pennsylvania study examined intimate partner violence and relationship power among South African adolescents, finding that girls with lower power were more likely to have multiple partners. The research suggests that targeting gender-specific components in HIV prevention interventions could help reduce transmission rates.
New research reveals that black female college students are reluctant to use online HIV prevention resources, citing stigma and fear of social repercussions. The study's findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive information delivery methods tailored to this demographic.
A study in monkeys exposed to SIV reveals what happens in the very earliest stages of infection, providing insights into vaccine development and prevention. The findings suggest a narrow window of opportunity to contain or eliminate the virus.
Researchers exposed monkeys to SIV, the monkey equivalent of HIV, and found that the virus triggers early host responses that suppress antiviral immunity. This early inflammation promotes viral replication, highlighting the need for effective prevention tools.
Researchers identified six areas for improvement: HIV prevention, common entry points, information availability, funding sources, competiveness, and building trust. Collaboration among agencies was found to be crucial for effective service delivery.
The AMP study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of VRC01 in reducing HIV-1 acquisition among at-risk populations. The randomized, double-blind trial will enroll 2700 participants and follow them for up to 72 weeks.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is conducting two multinational clinical trials to test an investigational anti-HIV antibody called VRC01. The studies aim to determine the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of the antibody in preventing HIV infection.
Researchers at TSRI have identified the first-ever immature HIV-neutralizing antibody, revealing a possible guide for developing an effective vaccine. The antibody, found in a Chinese patient, evolved rapidly and gained key traits within two years, contradicting previous theories.
A recent study identifies multiple sexual behaviors associated with prevalent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Men who engaged in anal stimulation or enema use were nearly five times as likely to test positive for HIV as those who did not.