IAS 2023 | Thymosin α1 Therapy for HIV Immunological Non-responders: A Single-arm Clinical Study

IAS 2023 | Thymosin α1 Therapy for HIV Immunological Non-responders: A Single-arm Clinical Study

As HIV treatment enters the post-ART era, drug side effects and complications have become significant factors affecting the quality of life for patients. Approximately 20% of patients, after 1-2 years of treatment, have viral loads below the detectable limit, but their CD4 cell count remains below normal levels, leading to poorer clinical outcomes. From 2021 to 2022, the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center conducted a clinical study on the use of thymosin α1 for the treatment of HIV immunological non-responders. The study results were presented as an e-poster at the IAS 2023 conference (Abstract No. 4511). A total of 20 participants were enrolled in the study, undergoing treatment and follow-up for a duration of six months (Registration No. NCT04963712).
Dr. Weiming Tang: Exploring Crowdsourced Partner Notification Services for High-Risk HIV Populations

Dr. Weiming Tang: Exploring Crowdsourced Partner Notification Services for High-Risk HIV Populations

In China, the transmission of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) primarily occurs through sexual transmission. [1] Partner notification services help those who are HIV-positive inform their sexual partners of their infection status and guide these partners to undergo HIV testing. [2] Thus, it is crucial for identifying newly infected individuals and preventing further HIV transmission. [3] Currently, the partner notification rate among key populations in China (e.g., men who have sex with men) is low. [4] To increase the acceptance of partner notification services (HIV PS) among men who have sex with men living with HIV (MLWH), the Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University collaborated with the China Program Office of the University of North Carolina to establish the Saith Project. This initiative aims to develop a crowdsourced intervention scheme through a series of crowdsourcing competitions in partnership with community organizations.
Dr. Steven Grinspoon: Statin Drugs Can Be Used for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in HIV-Infected Individuals

Dr. Steven Grinspoon: Statin Drugs Can Be Used for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in HIV-Infected Individuals

With the success of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HARRT), the life expectancy of HIV-infected individuals has significantly increased in recent years. The aging problem of HIV patients has become one of the main reasons affecting the quality of life and prognosis in the post-HARRT era. From July 23-26, 2023, the 12th International AIDS Society HIV Science Conference (IAS2023) was grandly held in Brisbane, Australia. At the conference, Dr. Grinspoon delivered an excellent report on primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases for PLWH. In this article, we have conducted an in-depth interview with Dr. Grinspoon. He shared insights on the metabolic and cardiovascular impacts related to PLWH treatments and the active role of statin drugs in preventing cardiovascular diseases in PLWH, especially as HIV treatment gradually shifts to chronic disease management.
Dr. Weiping Cai: Long-Acting Antiretroviral Drugs Usher in a New Chapter in AIDS Care

Dr. Weiping Cai: Long-Acting Antiretroviral Drugs Usher in a New Chapter in AIDS Care

AIDS remains one of the most significant public health issues worldwide, with around 38 million people living with HIV (PLWH). In recent years, with the continuous advancement of antiretroviral therapy (ART), AIDS has gradually transformed into a manageable chronic disease. However, PLWH still face challenges like poor drug adherence and increased risk of resistance. Therefore, the development of innovative long-acting antiretroviral drugs has become a breakthrough to reduce the medication burden on patients and decrease the threat of the disease. From July 23 to 26, 2023, the 12th International AIDS Society HIV Science Conference (IAS 2023) was held in Brisbane, Australia. The latest research progress on long-acting HIV drugs became a major highlight of the conference. Infectious Disease Frontier specially invited Dr. Weiping Cai from the Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, China, to provide insightful comments on this hot research area.
Challenges in HIV Management: Enhancing the Quality of Life for Elderly PLWH, Policy Interventions are Imperative

Challenges in HIV Management: Enhancing the Quality of Life for Elderly PLWH, Policy Interventions are Imperative

IAS current President Sharon Lewin emphasized, "The past 40 years of HIV research tells us that our HIV prevention and treatment work will be effective only when science, policy, and activism come together." At this IAS conference, the concept of primary healthcare (PHC) for HIV, as highlighted in the World Health Organization (WHO) updated HIV management guidelines, was emphasized. The new guidelines suggest that the new HIV policy framework will help decision-makers optimize ongoing work and collaborations, advancing PHC and responses for specific disease groups, including elderly PLWH.
Dr. Hongzhou Lu: NAD Management is Key for HIV Patients, Not Just Changing Medication

Dr. Hongzhou Lu: NAD Management is Key for HIV Patients, Not Just Changing Medication

The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has led to effective virological control in HIV-infected individuals, significantly reducing mortality rates and transforming AIDS into a treatable and manageable chronic disease. Today, one of the main clinical challenges is how to choose more "efficient and less toxic" treatment options to improve patients' quality of life. At the 12th International AIDS Society HIV Science Conference (IAS 2023) held recently, the first randomized controlled trial on switching to integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based therapy to control weight gain was reported. Infectious Disease Frontier invited Dr. Hongzhou Lu from Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, China, to interpret this trial and share insights into the current and future management of non-AIDS defining diseases (NAD) in HIV-infected individuals.
Dr. Wei Cao: Focus on Managing HIV Complications, Further Improving Patient Survival

Dr. Wei Cao: Focus on Managing HIV Complications, Further Improving Patient Survival

The 12th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2023) was held from July 23-26, 2023, in Brisbane, Australia. As the largest open scientific conference in the global field of HIV/AIDS, it attracted the participation of experts, medical professionals, community organizations, and healthcare companies worldwide. Dr. Wei Cao from Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, was invited to attend the conference and was interviewed on-site by Infectious Disease Frontier. We have invited Dr. Cao to share the latest developments emerging from this conference and hot topics related to HIV/AIDS treatment.
Dr. Yun He: The Impact of Rapid ART Initiation on HIV Outcomes

Dr. Yun He: The Impact of Rapid ART Initiation on HIV Outcomes

The concept of rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been proposed for nearly 10 years, and many studies have confirmed the long-term benefits of rapid ART initiation. At the 12th International AIDS Society HIV Science Conference (IAS 2023), Thai scholar Sirinya Teeraananchai reported a study on the impact of rapid ART initiation on the health outcomes of People Living with HIV (PLWH). Dr.Yun He from the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, China, was specially invited to comment on the study as follows.
Dr. Hui Wang: Second-line treatment choice for children with HIV infection

Dr. Hui Wang: Second-line treatment choice for children with HIV infection

Currently, the choice of second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) for children infected with HIV is extremely limited. At the12th International AIDS Society HIV Science Conference (IAS 2023), researchers announced the results of a significant clinical study, the CHAPAS-4 ( Abstract No. OALBB0503), focusing on the long-term treatment outcomes of second-line therapy in children with HIV infections. We specially invited Dr. Hui Wang from the Affiliated Second Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, China, to provide a brilliant review of this research.
Dr. Biao Zhu: Common Comorbidities in HIV Patients and Their Antiretroviral Therapy

Dr. Biao Zhu: Common Comorbidities in HIV Patients and Their Antiretroviral Therapy

Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) has greatly reduced the mortality associated with HIV, the morbidity of non-AIDS-related complications associated with HIV remains high. Therefore, it is crucial to understand and assess clinical decision factors for adjusting ART in the context of suppressed HIV RNA. At the recently concluded 12th International AIDS Society HIV Science Conference ( IAS 2023), Dr. A. Cozzi-Lepri of University College London reported a study (Abstract number: EPB0169) that analyzed and evaluated the risk of ART switches in the context of common comorbidities combined with HIV and suppressed HIV RNA. This journal specially invited Dr. Biao Zhu from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China, to provide a brilliant review of this research.