|
|
New Lab Test to Detect Persistent HIV Strains in Africa May Aid Search for Cure A multinational team led by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators developed a test that will help measure the persistence of HIV in people affected by viral strains found predominantly in Africa, a vital tool in the search for an HIV cure that will benefit patients around the world. The study, published in Nature Communications on July 2, helps fill a major gap in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) research. Most HIV studies have focused on strains circulating in Western countries, predominantly in men who have sex with men affected by subtype B. Few studies have examined strains circulating in Africa, where women are disproportionately affected. HIV cure research tends to focus on viral strains circulating in developed countries, but to achieve a cure that is globally applicable, we must study viral strains that are affecting other regions of the world,” said lead author Dr. Guinevere Lee, assistant professor of virology in medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at Weill Cornell Medicine. The findings show—like other studies in developed countries—that HIV strains circulating in Africa establish viral reservoirs in the human body. Although antiretroviral therapy can reduce HIV in the blood to an undetectable level, these dormant reservoirs continue to survive. They contain a large number of defective proviral DNA genomes which can’t produce new infectious viruses, but a small number of proviruses remain genetically intact and ready to produce active viruses if antiretroviral treatment is interrupted. More info about the publication can be found here |
Hookipa's HIV vaccine enters Phase 1b trial, achieves milestone NEW YORK and VIENNA - HOOKIPA Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOK), a biopharmaceutical company, announced today that the first participant has been dosed in a Phase 1b clinical trial for HB-500, a potential therapeutic vaccine for HIV. This development marks a milestone in the company's collaboration with Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD), resulting in a $5 million payment to HOOKIPA. The trial aims to assess the safety and immune response of HB-500 in individuals with HIV who are on suppressive antiretroviral treatment. The study design includes escalating doses and a placebo-controlled group. The dosing of the initial participant commenced today, and the trial is actively enrolling additional participants. HB-500 uses two genetically engineered arenaviruses to deliver HIV antigens, targeting conserved elements of the virus to potentially cover over 80% of circulating HIV-1 variants. This therapeutic approach is part of a broader effort to find a curative treatment for HIV, which currently has no known cure and affects over 38 million people globally. Under the terms of the agreement with Gilead, HOOKIPA is responsible for advancing the HIV program through the completion of this early-stage trial. Gilead holds exclusive rights to further develop the program after this phase. You can read more about the update here |
|
|
A new HIV vaccine protocol and gene-profiled cancer treatments are in development at Philadelphia’s Wistar Institute. (The nonprofit research center brings scientists from around the world to the University City’s biotech hub.) Escolano is working on a technique for an effective HIV vaccine and Srivastava is researching computational biology in his hybrid lab. They’re both purposely doing that advanced medical research in Philadelphia. The Wistar Institute, a private nonprofit biomedical research institution, is nestled right next to the University of Pennsylvania campus and hospital complex. The center is home to 40 labs working on various solutions, primarily around cancer and infectious diseases, with projects mostly funded by grants and contracts from federal agencies. Researchers at Wistar come from around the world, but what they all have in common is creativity and curiosity for discovery science, said Dario Altieri, the institute’s president and CEO. “We don’t tell them what to work on,” Altieri told Technical.ly. “They come here with their ideas, with aspirations or dreams. And the goal is for us to really provide the infrastructure and resources that are needed to pursue those dreams.” Both Escolano and Srivastava are passionate about the human impact their research could have. They came to Wistar because of the welcoming and supportive environment the institution offers. You can read more about the updates here |
|
|
What Is the Dapivirine Ring, and How Does It Work to Prevent HIV? Dapivirine is an antimicrobial agent—a drug that is used at a place in the body where you might get HIV—to prevent the virus from entering or reproducing. The drug is currently available in some countries, but not in the U.S., in the form of a vaginal ring that is replaced by the user every 28 days. People who are not living with HIV have a number of options available to them when it comes to HIV prevention. For instance, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) requires taking a daily pill or visiting a clinic for an injection every one to two months. Consistent use of a condom works well also, but condoms require a partner’s cooperation. By contrast, the vaginal ring is under the control of the wearer. This can be especially helpful for women, transgender men, and other vagina-having people in situations where condoms, pills, or frequent clinic visits might be questioned by partners or family members. You can read more about dapivirine ring here |
|
|
