Research programs working toward an HIV cure. Covers reservoir reduction, prevention policy, tumor-like tissue models, and vaccine development.
A UMass Amherst study explores gender differences in HIV-related stigma and social support among people living with HIV experiencing food insecurity in the Dominican Republic. Women described outright rejection, violence, and disempowerment, while men's experiences were more subtle.
A recent study found that integrated clinics can improve health outcomes and reduce costs for patients with multiple chronic conditions. The INTE-Africa study showed that retention rates were close to 90% and viral suppression rates remained unchanged, highlighting the benefits of integrating HIV and non-communicable disease care.
A large public health survey in rural South Africa found that approximately half of people living with HIV, diabetes or hypertension have unmet health needs. The study's novel framework quantifies met and unmet health needs for individuals living with infectious and non-communicable diseases.
A Phase 1 trial of a preventive HIV vaccine candidate has begun enrollment in the US and South Africa. The vaccine, VIR-1388, aims to instruct immune cells to recognize and respond to HIV.
Researchers found that a subset of HIV-infected cells produce viral RNA and proteins during anti-retroviral therapy, which may impact patients' immune responses. The study suggests that these non-functional viral pieces can stimulate an immune response, potentially leading to inflammation and negative consequences for treated individuals.
A Canadian research team has identified the locations of HIV reservoirs in the body, revealing that they are concentrated in the spleen and lymph nodes. The discovery provides a potential window of opportunity for targeting these reservoirs with future therapies.
Research from Boston Medical Center found that providing pragmatic support improved treatment outcomes for people with HIV who inject drugs in St. Petersburg, Russia. The odds of achieving viral load suppression at 12 months were 3 times higher for participants randomized to the intervention group.
Researchers found that Dectin-1 stimulation induced a unique immune signature in HIV-positive older adults, characterized by increased levels of IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-α. This signature may contribute to the pro-inflammatory environment associated with HIV and aging.
Researchers have discovered a blood cancer drug that can kill 'silent' HIV cells and delay reinfections. This breakthrough could lead to a future cure for the disease, which affects an estimated 39 million people worldwide.
A retrospective study of 28.3 million people in Brazil found that social determinants like poverty, education, and racism significantly increase the risk of contracting and succumbing to AIDS. Lower wealth and education levels were strongly associated with higher AIDS incidence and mortality rates.
A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association highlights the importance of shared decision-making in cardiovascular care. Key findings include improved patient understanding, acceptance, and satisfaction when healthcare teams involve patients in decision-making processes.
Researchers have identified a new pathway for HIV to enter the cell nucleus, and synthesized molecules that can target this pathway. The study found three proteins critical to the invasion, and their interaction, which could lead to new treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's and cancer
A new drug formulation designed for treating children with HIV has shown safety, tolerability, and effectiveness in a study published in The Lancet HIV. The formulation contains three medications and was found to suppress HIV levels below 200 copies/mL in 98% of participants.
A genetic variant has been identified that may explain why some people of African ancestry have naturally lower viral loads of HIV, reducing their risk of transmission and slowing disease progression. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments for those living with HIV.
A study at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that people living with HIV who donate a kidney to others with HIV have a low risk of developing end-stage kidney disease or other kidney problems. The study, which monitored three donors for two to four years post-transplant, bolsters support for living donations from people with HIV.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered molecular mechanisms of HIV drug-resistance to Dolutegravir, a breakthrough that could lead to the development of new HIV therapeutics. The study revealed how changes in integrase protein structure can lead to resistance and how another compound, 4d, may overcome this resistance.
A study in The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (JANAC) found that people with HIV who smoke have higher rates of comorbid health problems, particularly cardiovascular disease and mental health disorders. These comorbidities are associated with demographic factors such as age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers determined the atomic structure of the APOBEC3G-Vif complex using cryo-electron microscopy. This discovery may help develop antiviral therapies by targeting the interaction between HIV-1's Vif protein and the human innate immune system.
A recent study led by Professor Simona Stäger identified a molecular imprint that predisposes memory CD4+ T lymphocytes to cell death in people living with HIV. The discovery could have implications for other chronic infectious diseases and may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a new target for treating HIV infection by blocking the neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (nSMase2) enzyme. Inhibiting this enzyme can prevent HIV replication and kill infected cells, offering a promising therapeutic approach.
A digital assay called STAMP has been developed to directly measure the presence of HIV in single drops of blood, providing a more efficient and accurate alternative to traditional methods. The test uses CRISPR-Cas13 technology to detect and signal the presence of HIV, allowing for real-time monitoring of viral loads.
Researchers aim to identify best practices for increasing viral suppression in low-income populations with HIV. They will examine state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs to understand disparities in care and outcomes.
African countries have made significant progress in increasing their share of global HIV research output, rising from 5.1% in 1986 to 31.3% between 1986 and 2020. Despite this growth, the continent still produces relatively low amounts of HIV research compared to its high burden of infections.
Researchers identified a molecule that allows HIV to hide in reservoirs within CD4+ T lymphocytes. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor protein plays a crucial role in viral latency and has shown potential as a good therapeutic target.
The African-led PrEPVacc trial has completed participant enrolment at all four sites in East and Southern Africa. The trial is testing two different ways to prevent HIV, including HIV vaccine regimens and a new form of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
A Johns Hopkins Medicine-led team identified protein fragments that stimulate the immune system to recognize and attack HIV. The study's technique, called reductionist cell-free antigen processing, replicates the complex events in the human immune system, enabling the identification of immunodominant epitopes.
Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University have discovered how stem cell transplantation can kill the virus that causes AIDS. The study, published in the journal Immunity, reveals that two circumstances must co-exist for a cure to occur and documents the order in which HIV is cleared from the body.
The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, shows robust T-cell responses in volunteers participating in a phase 1 clinical trial of a self-assembling nanoparticle HIV vaccine. The antigen used stimulates VRC01-class B cells, an immune response considered promising for boosting in further studies.
A UC Riverside-led study created a virtual village to connect older people living with HIV, reducing social isolation and depression. The virtual space provided health, community-based, and personal resources, facilitating positive connections and friendships.
A new randomized, controlled trial aims to integrate nutritional counseling with food-generating activities among people with HIV and food insecurity in the Dominican Republic. The project seeks to reduce viral loads, increase ART adherence, and improve overall health outcomes.
Research from Boston Medical Center found that pulmonary tuberculosis enhances HIV antibody responses and increases the prevalence of antibody-resistant strains. This study has significant implications for HIV vaccines and antibody-based therapies, highlighting the need for novel strategies to generate broad and potent antibodies.
A video-based smoking cessation program developed by a University of Massachusetts Amherst researcher has helped nearly 40% of HIV-positive smokers in Nepal quit tobacco. The program, which includes 11 video sessions and is accessible via smartphone app, was found to be highly effective in promoting abstinence among participants.
Researchers at Temple University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center developed a novel dual gene-editing approach that can effectively eliminate HIV infection. The therapy targets both HIV-1, the virus responsible for AIDS, and CCR5, a co-receptor that facilitates viral entry into cells.
A cohort study of 196 people treated with tecovirimat found that HIV status did not impact treatment outcomes. Only 22% of participants experienced nonsevere adverse effects, and 4 serious adverse events occurred, with 3 being persons with HIV. The findings contradict previous uncertainty about HIV's role in mpox acquisition.
Research at King's College London found a higher prevalence of HIV diagnoses among people who use mental health services in South London. The study suggests that there is a complex relationship between HIV and mental illness, with potential risks for both acquiring HIV or developing mental illness.
A new HIV vaccine has shown improved ability to neutralize virus in preclinical tests, using nanoparticle display of multiple Env proteins. The vaccine design uses flexible sugar molecules called glycans to present self to the immune system.
Researchers uncover how HIV enters human bodies via dendritic cells using Siglec-1 membrane protein; formation of nanoclusters enhances capture, leading to virus compartment formation. Understanding this process can aid in developing effective treatments for HIV/AIDS.
A daily statin medication reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 35% among people living with HIV. The NIH study, REPRIEVE, enrolled over 7,700 volunteers and found that pitavastatin calcium lowered cardiovascular risk without increasing adverse drug events.
A new study found that more than 60% of parents had heard of PrEP, with relatively low levels of knowledge and high intentions to discuss and support their adolescents' PrEP care. The study highlights the importance of educating parents about PrEP to increase self-efficacy and uptake among at-risk populations.
Research found that STI and HIV testing rates dropped significantly in March 2020, while positive test rates rose. The decline was likely driven by public health recommendations limiting in-person visits during the pandemic.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute identified hopeaphenol as a plant-based compound that targets HIV reservoirs, reducing stress on the immune system and potentially decreasing age-related conditions. The compound was found to inhibit viral reactivation, blocking replication and production of new viruses in infected cells.
Scientists have identified monocytes, a type of white blood cell, as a potential target for eliminating HIV infections. A new study found that monocytes can harbor stable HIV genomes, which may provide a new direction for efforts to improve therapies and eventually cure the disease.
A recent study found that the mitochondrial antioxidant MitoQ can reverse the detrimental effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy on organs such as the brain, heart, and liver. The researchers used humanized mice infected with HIV and treated them with MitoQ for three months.
The March issue of CHEST journal features 44 articles on topics such as asthma, critical care, and sleep medicine. The journal also includes complementary web resources, including visual abstracts.
A new study examines the concerns of parents of sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents regarding HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use. Parents cited effectiveness and adverse effects as key factors in their decision-making, while also expressing questions about how to discuss PrEP with their children.
Researchers have discovered that HIV creates reservoirs as early as the first days of infection, hiding and persisting during antiretroviral therapy. This finding is a major obstacle to curing HIV, but it also offers new opportunities for treatment development.
A new study has confirmed that people living with HIV who switch from efavirenz to dolutegravir may gain more weight and have a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. The study found that patients on dolutegravir gained an average of 1.78 kg in 12 months, compared to those on efavirenz.
Researchers found dapivirine levels in breast milk to be very low, posing no safety concerns. The study supports the inclusion of breastfeeding populations in global guidelines for the use of the dapivirine vaginal ring for HIV prevention.
A 53-year-old man has been cured of HIV after receiving a stem cell transplant, marking the third person to achieve this. The patient's genome contained a mutation in the CCR5 gene, making it impossible for most HIV viruses to enter his CD4+ T-lymphocytes.
The DELIVER study found that the vaginal dapivirine ring posed no safety concerns when used in the third trimester of pregnancy. The study enrolled women at different stages of gestation and reported similar pregnancy outcomes between those using the ring and a placebo.
The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) will present 29 presentations at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) 2023. The studies focus on COVID-19, HIV cure, pathogenesis, treatment, long-term complications, tuberculosis, hepatitis C, and contraception.
A team of researchers from UNC and CDC developed an injectable implant that can release HIV PrEP medications for up to six months, providing full protection. The technology has shown promise in non-human primates and could potentially be adapted for human use.
A new study reveals that all 50 US states now allow minors to consent independently to some STI/HIV services, but confidentiality protections are rare and vary significantly. The laws remain complex, with gaps in coverage for prevention services like the HPV vaccine and PrEP.
A new study found Black South Africans who migrated to find work reported better emotional well-being and were at lower risk for depression after the move. The research may help policymakers tailor mental health resources to underprivileged migrants and those seeking economic mobility.
Researchers have identified a distinct latent reservoir of HIV-infected CD4+ T cells in the central nervous system (CNS), separate from the latent reservoir in blood and lymph tissue. This finding highlights a new challenge in creating a cure for HIV, as any curative therapy would need to activate both dormant reservoirs.
A Phase 3 clinical trial testing an experimental HIV vaccine regimen found the treatment to be safe but ineffective in preventing HIV acquisition. The trial involved over 3,900 volunteers and concluded that the number of HIV infections were equivalent between the vaccine and placebo arms.
A Rutgers study found that pregnant people with HIV have higher levels of chronic systemic inflammation and immune activation, leading to poor growth in children. The study aimed to investigate the impact on babies exposed to HIV but not infected.
Research reveals that commonly used antiretroviral drugs TAF and TDF directly impact mitochondria's energy production in immune cells. The study suggests a larger energy reduction when combined with other antiretrovirals, sparking concerns about potential long-term effects on human cells.
Researchers discovered host proteins APOBEC3 can aid HIV's latency, a major hurdle to cure research. The finding raises questions about the role of these proteins and potential ways to block their activity to inhibit viral persistence.
A new study finds epigenetic aging is associated with aberrant neural oscillatory dynamics serving visuospatial processing in people with HIV. Participants showed accelerated biological age and different brain activity patterns compared to controls, suggesting a link between biological aging and neural function in PWH.