11th IAS Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2021)

Universal DAA access tied to reduced HCV prevalence in PLHIV

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210820180001

Universal access to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) may have led to the low prevalence of hepatitis C viraemia among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in The Netherlands, according to a study presented at IAS 2021.

Fostemsavir continues to BRIGHTEn outlook for advanced HIV-1 patients

Audrey Abella, 20210817100000

In the 96-week interim analysis of the phase III BRIGHTE study presented at IAS 2021, the gp120 attachment inhibitor fostemsavir showed favourable safety and tolerability, and yielded strong rates of virologic response in heavily treatment-experienced (HTE) adults infected with extensive multidrug-resistant (MDR) HIV-1.

Bedaquiline-pretomanid-linezolid combo tackles highly drug-resistant TB

Roshini Claire Anthony, 20210816160001

The combined regimen of bedaquiline, pretomanid, and linezolid (BPaL) may help treat highly drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), even with lower doses or shorter treatment duration of linezolid, according to results of the phase III ZeNix trial presented at IAS 2021.

B/F/TAF maintains viral suppression through 4 years in HIV patients

Pearl Toh, 20210815150000

Treatment with the single-tablet regimen of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) leads to sustained viral suppression through 4 years with no treatment-emergent resistance in treatment-naïve people living with HIV (PWH), according to a long-term study presented at IAS 2021.

Copper intrauterine devices up risk of T. vaginalis infection

Tristan Manalac, 20210813090000

The risk of contracting Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infection seems to be higher in women using copper intrauterine devices (Cu-IUD) as a contraceptive, according to a study presented at the recently concluded 2021 International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2021).

Capsid inhibitor can fight multidrug resistant HIV

Jairia Dela Cruz, 20210812140000

About four-fifths of heavily treated HIV patients with multidrug resistance have achieved viral suppression with the investigational long-acting subcutaneous lenacapavir (LEN) used in combination with an optimized antiretroviral (ART) regimen, according to the 26-week data from the ongoing phase II/III CAPELLA study.

MTN studies reflect acceptability, safety of dapivirine vaginal ring for HIV prevention

Audrey Abella, 20210812100000

The monthly dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR), which has been found to reduce HIV risk with no safety issues, continues to show its potential as an acceptable and safe preventive method against HIV, according to data from several phase III MTN* studies presented at IAS 2021.

Depression no longer a barrier to DAA initiation for patients with HIV-HCV

Tristan Manalac, 20210812090000

Despite having depressive symptoms, treatment initiation rates seem to be improving among patients coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV), according to a study presented at the recently concluded 2021 International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2021).

Feminizing hormone therapy does not nix oral pre-exposure prophylaxis

Jairia Dela Cruz, 20210811140000

Use of feminizing hormone therapy (FHT) does not appear to cancel the effect of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in transgender women at high risk of HIV, according to data from the PrEParadas study presented at the 11th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2021).

PrEP use very low in Asian men who have sex with men

Stephen Padilla, 20210811120000

Use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is extremely low among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in five Asian countries, reveals a study presented at the 11th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2021).