Game-changing HIV research offers hope for people with HIV and to end AIDS

Shobha Shukla - CNS
Contd from previous issue
This study is looking at the safety of oral Cabotegravir,  long-acting injectable Cabotegravir and long acting injectable Rilpivirine in those 12-18 years old adolescents who are living with HIV (type-1) and are virally suppressed.
The first interim data (based on 23 participants in the US) presented at CROI 2022 showed that the drugs were well-tolerated and achieved targeted pharmacokinetic concentrations and no new or unanticipated safety concerns were identified. The study will continue to evaluate the safety, tolerability, acceptability, and pharmacokinetics of the oral and long-acting injectable regimens, and is expected to expand treatment options for children and adolescents living with HIV-1 and improve adherence and treatment satisfaction.
New options to prevent HIV
Two studies show that Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) which is used to prevent a person from getting infected with HIV, works better if it is based upon long-acting injectable antiretroviral medicine (Cabotegravir), than oral PrEP based on Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) and Emtricitabine (FTC) antiretroviral medicines.
These two studies were HPTN-083 for HIV negative cisgender men who had sex with men, and transgender women who had sex with men; and HPTN-084 for HIV negative cisgender women.
(To be contd)