World AIDS Day is on December 1st, and recently I began wondering what new research or discoveries have occurred since I first began learning about HIV and AIDS in the early 1990's. Here are some of the most interesting and promising research findings to date:
1. Vaccine to Prevent HIV
Scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease Viral Research Center discovered "two antibodies that can bind to a part of the HIV and neutralize it. Past research has identified other antibodies that also bind to the virus, but these were only able to neutralize 4 out of 10 strains". What is new: these researchers actually found new antibodies (called VRC01 and VRC02), that can "neutralize" nine of out 10 strains. It is incredible, as we may actually have a vaccine to prevent HIV for future generations. For more information: HIV Vaccine Trials.
2. Pill to Prevent HIV
A pill is in development that may actually help prevent or reduce your chances of becoming infected, when exposed to HIV. Scientists have found when women took the Truvada pill daily, they were “73 percent less likely to become infected with the virus”. (NEJM).
This development is being labeled as “changing the battle against AIDS”.
Truvada, is a combination of two drugs, tenofovir and emtricitabine , and is already available by prescription in many countries. It is a type of antiretroviral pill, known as “pre-exposure prophylaxis” or “PreP”.
In fact, a study nicknamed “iPrEx” including study participants of almost 2,500 men in six countres, found “blood tests showed [men] who had taken their pill faithfully every day: the pill was more than 90 percent effective”.
According to the (New York Times), the future for Truvada is promising, as current studies of PreP are underway with about “20,000 volunteers enrolled around the world. Their results are expected to arrive in a steady stream over the next two years”.
3. Antiretroviral Medications to Treat HIV
Antiretroviral therapy has been used successfully to treat accidental needle sticks in the medical field, when used immediately, as it suppresses the replication of the HIV virus inside the body. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is very effective in reducing HIV particles in the blood.
HIV Screening and Testing is important, as treatments are effective when caught early. In fact, people who are newly infected with HIV are more infectious than those individuals who have been living with HIV for an extended period of time. (NIH) It is due to "viral load", and is one of the biggest predictors of risk of transmitting HIV between heterosexual partners.
HIV transmission is rare among persons with low levels of the virus, and there are specific tests that can be conducted to check for acute HIV infection viral load (such as the HIV RNA test).
"The viral load is the chief predictor of the risk of heterosexual transmission of HIV-1, and transmission is rare among persons with levels of less than 1500 copies of HIV-1 RNA per milliliter." (NEJM).
In fact, antiretroviral medication treatment has been most impressively effective in preventing HIV transmission from mother-to-baby during pregnancy and delivery, as cases of HIV transmission have declined from 1,650 in 1991 to under 200 in 2004 (WHO).
4. Vaginal Microbicide to Prevent HIV
Vaginal microbicides (a "microbicide" reduces the infectious quality of microbes, such as viruses or bacteria) are not new, as there has been much controversy surrounding condoms containing nonoxynol-9 (a type of spermicide). Studies found N-9 as increasing the risk of transmitting infections (due to skin irritation and microscopic tears in the genital area that could enhance the transmission of HIV and other STDs).
However, testing is underway for vaginal microbicides that are safe and effective. At this time, “at least four of these [vaginal microbicides] have entered trials to assess effectiveness in preventing vaginally acquired HIV infection: Buffer Gel, Carraguard, cellulose sulfate and PRO 2000/5 Gel.” (Clinical Trials). Carraguard is being shown as having promise in no/low rates of genital irritation.
Lastly, a study published in July 2010, described a gel-containing the antiretroviral medication tenofovir has been shown to “reduce the risk of HIV infection by 39 percent in a group of women who used it for about three-quarters of their sexual encounters. Those who used it more consistently experienced 54 percent fewer infections." This is considered as a great discovery, as a vaginal microbicide that can be used by a woman with or without a man's consent or knowledge is essential in many areas of the world where women are at risk for sexually transmitted diseases without the ability to protect themselves. (Source: Science).
Now you are "in the know" with the latest developments in HIV and AIDS research, and can talk with your friends and co-workers on World AIDS Day on December 1st regarding the latest discoveries (I included the original sources, so you can read each more in-depth or reference them as-needed).