IAS 2023 | Joining Hands to Eliminate AIDS Epidemic by 2030

IAS 2023 | Joining Hands to Eliminate AIDS Epidemic by 2030

On July 23, 2023, the 12th International AIDS Society (IAS) HIV Science Conference, referred to as IAS 2023, officially began in Brisbane, Australia. As one of the largest open academic conferences in the global HIV and AIDS field, the event attracted participation from experts, medical professionals, community groups, and medical enterprises worldwide. The conference emphasized the importance of science as the foundation of policy and practice, highlighting the close integration of science, policy, and activism to promote significant advancements in the HIV and AIDS sector. The theme of the conference is "End Inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemics.", reflecting IAS's ultimate vision. The goal is to rally health experts globally towards the shared ambition of eradicating AIDS by 2030.
IAS 2023 | WHO Guidelines Update: The Risk of HIV Sexual Transmission with Low Viral Load is Nearly Zero

IAS 2023 | WHO Guidelines Update: The Risk of HIV Sexual Transmission with Low Viral Load is Nearly Zero

The 12th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2023) began on July 23, 2023, in Brisbane, Australia. At the conference, experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced important updates to the HIV guidelines, emphasizing the importance of "HIV viral suppression for improved individual health and reduced transmission." On the eve of the conference, The Lancet published a systematic review showing that the risk of HIV transmission with low-level viral load is almost zero.
IAS 2023 | RESPOND Study: INSTIs Might Indeed be “A Bit Sweet”

IAS 2023 | RESPOND Study: INSTIs Might Indeed be “A Bit Sweet”

Integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are associated with weight gain, but this weight gain doesn't harm survival or increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. So, does the weight gain associated with INSTIs lead to a higher risk of diabetes? At the recent 12th International AIDS Society (IAS) HIV Science Conference (IAS 2023), the renowned RESPOND cohort study from Europe and America indicated that INSTIs might increase the risk of diabetes onset. Even after adjustment, the onset risk remains statistically significant.
IAS 2023 | Short-course tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment does not affect the virologic efficacy of INSTIs in treating HIV

IAS 2023 | Short-course tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment does not affect the virologic efficacy of INSTIs in treating HIV

People Living With HIV (PLWH) are at high risk of active tuberculosis (TB). Guidelines both domestically and internationally suggest that PLWH with positive latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening and those with a history of close contact with active TB should receive TB preventive treatment. However, commonly used preventive treatment regimens such as rifampin and rifapentine have potential drug interactions with HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART). A multi-center retrospective study from Taiwan, China, presented at the 12th International AIDS Society HIV Science Conference (IAS 2023) showed that ART based on integrase inhibitors (INSTIs) combined with rifapentine-based short-course TB preventive treatment does not affect the patient's sustained HIV virologic suppression rate.
IAS 2023 | South African study indicates that HIV male patients have a greater likelihood of achieving virological remission than females.

IAS 2023 | South African study indicates that HIV male patients have a greater likelihood of achieving virological remission than females.

 In the recent 12th International AIDS Society (IAS) HIV Science Conference (IAS 2023), a research study from South Africa found that, despite seldom adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART), 5 male children who were born with HIV still maintained undetectable viral loads. Researchers believe that due to innate immunological gender differences, boys might have a better chance of achieving sustained virological remission than girls.
IAS 2023 | What are the sequelae of MPOX? Does HIV increase the risk of hospitalization due to MPOX?

IAS 2023 | What are the sequelae of MPOX? Does HIV increase the risk of hospitalization due to MPOX?

The 12th International AIDS Association HIV Science Conference (IAS 2023) was held in Brisbane, Australia from July 23 to 26, 2023. In the oral reports of the conference, experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that global monitoring data for MPOX in 2022 showed that half of the patients with MPOX were HIV carriers. However, HIV is not a risk factor for increased hospitalization due to MPOX. Another study based on interviews with MPOX patients in Australia indicated that most patients had negative experiences with the disease and sequelae related to MPOX.
Dr. Deborah Donnell: A new long-acting PrEP regimen holds promise to transform the landscape of HIV prevention.

Dr. Deborah Donnell: A new long-acting PrEP regimen holds promise to transform the landscape of HIV prevention.

In 2021, the United Nations set forth the goal of "ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030". To achieve this, not only must countries strengthen the diagnosis and treatment of HIV infections, but they also need to prioritize prevention to minimize the emergence of new infections. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) long-acting regimens have become a recent focal point in HIV prevention. At the recently held 12th International AIDS Society HIV Science Conference (IAS 2023), there were several keynote lectures on the topic of long-acting PrEP.
Dr. Ana Hoxha: Clinical characteristics and outcomes of MPXV and HIV co-infected patients

Dr. Ana Hoxha: Clinical characteristics and outcomes of MPXV and HIV co-infected patients

In 2022, about 70 countries/regions around the world reported cases of MPOX. These countries/regions usually have no prior history of MPXV infections, and previous sustained human-to-human transmissions of MPXV were mainly observed in Africa. At the recent 12th International AIDS Society HIV Science Conference (IAS 2023), Dr. Ana Hoxha from the World Health Organization (WHO) presented a special report titled "HIV among MPOX cases: clinical characteristics and outcomes in the WHO global surveillance 2022".
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.
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.