Research programs working toward an HIV cure. Covers reservoir reduction, prevention policy, tumor-like tissue models, and vaccine development.
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.
A new study published in The Journal of Rural Health found that urban men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to get vaccinated and tested for Mpox than their rural counterparts. The study also revealed that rural MSM perceived themselves as less susceptible to the disease and had lower intention to be vaccinated.
A recent study by Texas A&M University reveals that rural family medicine physicians are less comfortable providing sexual risk reduction counseling to adolescents compared to their urban counterparts. This disparity highlights the need for increased awareness and training of PrEP-related clinical activities among rural providers, whic...
A new study suggests that expanding Medicaid coverage in Houston, combined with increased use of PrEP and antiviral medications, could lead to a significant decline in new HIV infections among young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. The model projects a potential decrease in HIV incidence rate to almost 50% with...
Rice University researchers are developing implants that can produce and deliver monoclonal anti-HIV antibody therapeutics for at least a year. The project aims to reduce the cost and improve the logistics of HIV treatment, making it more accessible and beneficial for patients worldwide.
Researchers at Scripps Research, IAVI, Fred Hutch, and VRC publish study data in Science, revealing a stepwise approach to producing antibodies capable of targeting wide range of HIV variants. The Phase 1 trial shows favorable safety profile and induces targeted response in 97% of vaccinated individuals.
A new study reveals that HIV infection permanently alters immune cells, leading to overreaction to other pathogens and prolonged inflammation. This 'immunologic memory' of the original HIV infection puts people living with HIV at risk for cardiovascular disease and neurocognitive dysfunction.
Researchers found a significant increase in Kaposi's sarcoma incidence among young Black men in the South, with rates jumping by 3.3% per year. The study suggests that HIV infection and social determinants like poverty and lack of access to medical care contribute to this disparity.
Researchers found that people living with HIV have a significantly delayed internal body clock, consistent with the symptoms of jet lag. This disruption may contribute to increased health problems experienced by those with HIV. The study suggests a strong need for further research on younger people living with HIV in other countries.
Researchers discovered that expressing Vpu in infected cells makes them more difficult for non-neutralizing antibodies to target, allowing the virus to evade the immune system. The study provides valuable insights into developing effective vaccines against HIV-1.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are awarded a $3.5 million NIH grant to examine how alcohol use alone or in combination with fentanyl affects HIV medications, including PrEP medication. The study aims to determine metabolite signatures and pharmacological biomarkers of PrEP in HIV-negative populations.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology developed a method to track the growth of the HIV virus by highlighting its essential molecules. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of new therapies that target these molecules to prevent viral growth.
A new Danish-led study has demonstrated a way to strengthen the body's own ability to fight HIV, even when standard treatment is paused. The study found that monoclonal antibodies and Romidepsin can help the immune system recognize and kill infected cells.
Research in Zambia suggests children infected with HIV are more likely to struggle with cognitive and mental health issues despite well-controlled disease. Early intervention through better nutrition and antiretroviral therapies may improve neurological function.
Researchers develop custom vaccines that induce broadly neutralizing antibodies to protect against HIV variants. The team uses a modified HIV spike protein to prime the immune system, paving the way for an effective HIV vaccine.
Researchers found pre-existing differences in gut bacteria between people with and without HIV, including decreased Bacteroides species and increased Megasphaera elsdenii. These changes were present even before infection occurred, suggesting a potential link between gut microbiome and HIV susceptibility.
In a new study, Rutgers ethicists and Harvard doctor argue that giving some trial participants a placebo is not only acceptable but also demanded by ethics. They claim that this practice is necessary to test potential cures while minimizing risks.
A recent study published in The Lancet HIV found that individuals with viral suppression through antiretroviral therapy (ART) medications can live longer and experience less disability compared to those with unsuppressed HIV. This research highlights the critical importance of maintaining support for HIV treatment programs to ensure op...
Researchers found that a 'slow delivery, escalating dose' vaccination strategy can prompt B cells to spend months mutating and evolving their antibodies, leading to more effective long-lasting vaccines. This breakthrough has implications for vaccines against pathogens like influenza, malaria, and SARS-CoV-2.
Research found that people with HIV who also have untreated hepatitis C virus have a higher risk of heart attack as they age. The study analyzed health data from 23,361 people with HIV and found that those co-infected with hepatitis C had a significantly increased risk of heart attack compared to those with HIV alone.
A 21% relative risk reduction in reported high-risk HIV behavior was found for single mothers with a State-level Earned Income Tax Credit (SEITC) of 10% or above the Federal EITC. A 10 percentage-point increase in SEITC was also linked to a 38% relative reduction in high-risk behavior.
A newly defined biomarker called PT80 appears effective as a surrogate endpoint to predict the ability of broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to prevent acquisition of HIV-1. PT80 predicts the 80% neutralizing antibody titer of a bnAb recipient's blood sample at a given time to a given virus.
The CHEETAH Center is a leading institution for HIV research, publishing over 300 papers on the virus's inner workings and potential treatments. Researchers are focusing on understanding HIV's life cycle, identifying key components essential for viral infection and replication.
The new tuberculosis vaccine candidate VPM1002 shows its safety and efficacy in a study of HIV-exposed and non-HIV-exposed newborns. The vaccine has fewer side effects compared to the existing BCG vaccine, and elicits a similar immune response.
A national PrEP program is proposed to improve access to the highly effective yet underutilized preventive treatment, which could greatly reduce HIV rates. The special issue supports increased access, affordability, especially among Black and Latino populations.
A new study found that HIV-1 Tat expression accelerates age-related diseases in male mice by disrupting neuroendocrine function. Researchers discovered that Tat alters steroid hormone levels, leading to anxiety-like behavior, cognitive errors, and reduced grip strength.
Scientists used cutting-edge technology to analyze HIV-infected memory CD4+ T cells and found distinct gene expression patterns linked to cell survival and proliferation. These findings suggest that the HIV-infected reservoir may be uniquely susceptible to targeted therapies, offering new hope for cure research.
A new study finds that large-scale HIV screening and peer support successfully reduced uncontrolled HIV in people who inject drugs by 40% in Haiphong, Vietnam. The intervention improved HIV identification and care among this at-risk population.
Researchers have found that treating high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) in people with HIV significantly decreases the progression to anal cancer. The ANCHOR trial enrolled over 4,000 participants and showed a 57% reduction in anal cancer cases.
Researchers aim to develop a gene therapy that could suppress HIV replication and eliminate the need for life-long antiretroviral therapy. The study uses an AAV vector to produce leronlimab, a monoclonal antibody blocking HIV entry into immune cells.
Scientists have uncovered how the innate immune system detects HIV-1, even at very small amounts, and activates a two-step molecular strategy to combat the virus. This discovery could lead to new methods for treating HIV and vaccines, as well as insights into other diseases like Alzheimer's.
Researchers determined the molecular structure of the HIV Pol polyprotein, a critical component in the virus's replication process. The discovery sheds new light on how HIV reproduces itself and reveals a new vulnerability that could be targeted with drugs.
Scientists have determined the molecular structure of HIV Pol, a protein that plays a key role in the late stages of HIV replication. The discovery reveals a new vulnerability in the virus that could be targeted with drugs, and sheds light on how the protein breaks apart to advance the replication process.
Researchers found that HIV prefers to infect memory CD4 T cells with large amounts of specific sugars, including fucose and sialic acid. The study also reveals that HIV boosts the production of these sugars in infected cells, highlighting a new target for potential treatments.
Researchers analyzed stored blood samples from infected men and found significant age acceleration in DNA epigenetic measures and telomere shortening. The study demonstrates HIV's substantial impact on the body's aging processes within two to three years of infection.
Researchers used X-ray crystallography to reveal the structure of HIV-1 matrix protein at 2.1 angstroms resolution, advancing understanding of viral assembly and envelope protein incorporation. The study showed that molecular details at this level can help develop new therapeutic agents inhibiting HIV-1 assembly and virus production.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 variants are formed in chronic patients with weakened immune systems, who experience prolonged infections. This leads to the accumulation of mutations, similar to those found in severe illness variants.
A new study led by UCSF found that routine screening for and removal of precancerous anal lesions can significantly reduce the risk of anal cancer. The study, known as ANCHOR Study, showed a 57% reduction in anal cancer among people with HIV who underwent treatment for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL).
Researchers aim to understand how HIV affects cardiovascular health and the impact of substance use on this relationship. They plan to develop a human bone marrow chip model to study HIV pathogenesis and explore potential strategies for caring people with HIV who face cardiovascular disease.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that people with HIV are at a higher risk of breakthrough COVID-19 infections after vaccination. The study analyzed data from nearly 114,000 fully vaccinated individuals and found that the HIV group had a 28% higher rate of breakthrough infections compared to the non-HIV group.
Researchers found that combination broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibodies (bNAbs) can effectively suppress HIV in individuals without daily antiretroviral therapy (ART), with median duration of time off ART being 39.6 weeks.
The HIV Vaccine Trials Network is launching a new registry to connect people interested in supporting HIV vaccine research with clinical trials in their communities. The 'Help End HIV' campaign aims to raise awareness about the urgent need for HIV clinical trial volunteers, particularly among young people.
Researchers developed a new software tool, called 'meta-transcriptome detector,' that integrates genetic sequencing analysis of hosts and their microbiomes. The tool enables analysis of gene expression activity in both microbes and hosts simultaneously, allowing researchers to spot relationships between them.
Researchers successfully reprogrammed non-controllers' CD8+ T cells to acquire properties of natural HIV controllers, enabling them to suppress viral load and survive without exhaustion. This breakthrough could lead to a cell therapy strategy for achieving HIV remission, with potential applications in cancer treatments.
The Albert Einstein College of Medicine has received a $11.3 million NIH grant to expand its efforts in preventing, treating and curing HIV infection. The center will support research initiatives identifying more effective approaches to expand PrEP uptake and increase ART adherence among marginalized populations.
New research suggests that ADCC responses and strain susceptibility influence HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission during breastfeeding. Enhancing ADCC through a vaccine may not be sufficient to prevent transmission due to chronically infected individuals' ADCC-resistant strains.
Researchers identified two types of humoral immune responses in PTCs, one effective in controlling short episodes of viral activity and another lacking strong response. This discovery sheds light on HIV control mechanisms and could inspire novel therapeutic or vaccine strategies.
MIT biological engineers have developed a new technique that allows them to precisely identify interactions between immune cells and their target antigens. This tool, which uses engineered viruses, enables large-scale screens of such interactions and could accelerate the development of more effective vaccines and immunotherapies.
A phase I clinical trial demonstrated the safety and efficacy of a novel adeno-associated viral vector-based treatment for HIV, producing measurable amounts of a broadly neutralizing antibody. The treatment showed wide-ranging clinical implications for potentially preventing or treating HIV and other infections.
Researchers have discovered that UV-LED lights can inactivate coronaviruses and HIV within seconds, making them a promising tool for disinfecting public spaces. The study found that repeated exposure to UV light is key to catching virus particles, and the lights are easy to retrofit into existing fixtures.
A new study by University of Alberta immunologist Shokrollah Elahi reveals that killer T cells have low levels of protein CD73, compromising their ability to eliminate HIV-infected cells. Chronic inflammation also plays a role in reducing CD73 expression, leading to potential new treatments for both HIV and multiple sclerosis.
A $4.76 million grant will support the evaluation of TB preventative treatment in six countries. The initiative aims to measure the impact of this life-saving treatment on reducing TB disease and mortality among people living with HIV.
Researchers found that a monkey variant of HIV uses different amino acids to counteract human tetherin than it does in monkeys, suggesting a potential route for SIV to infect humans.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University discovered nearly twice as many men with cancer among those living with HIV compared to those without the virus. The study emphasizes the need for continued use of antiretroviral therapies and HPV vaccination to address known risk factors.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating three experimental HIV vaccines based on messenger RNA technology. The study aims to examine the safety and ability of the vaccines to induce an immune response in adults aged 18-55 years.
A new study suggests that outpatient treatment for infective endocarditis can reduce mortality rates, extend life expectancy, and be more cost-effective than standard inpatient therapy. The strategy also showed improved cure rates compared to other approaches.
Closing syringe services programs would lead to an average increase of 63.5 HIV infections over a five-year period, with permanent closure resulting in a 161% increase among people who inject drugs. A short-term service disruption may cause a spike in HIV incidence.
A new low-cost, portable instrument uses photonic technology to detect SARS-CoV-2 in saliva samples with high sensitivity and speed. The device can measure small quantities of virus like PCR tests but is as fast as rapid antigen tests.
Researchers have discovered new details about HIV's structure, including the position of envelope spike proteins and glycan shields. The findings may help in designing a vaccine that can protect against AIDS.
Researchers found that starting combined antiretroviral therapy against simian immunodeficiency virus two weeks after infection significantly reduced chronic immune activation, SIV replication, and latent TB reactivation. This study contributes to the growing evidence on the complex interaction between HIV and tuberculosis.