Sydney researchers have developed a way to sequence near-full-length HIV-genomes from viral particles in the blood. This new test is called the PRLS (plasma-derived RNA using long-range sequencing) assay. The test shows that many HIV particles contain defective genomes and are likely not infectious. Researchers can use the test to identify where the virus comes…
The Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference (commonly known as ASHM after the organiser, the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine) was held online from 16-20 November 2020. Here are some highlights of cure-related presentations. Understanding HIV latency The HIV Cure presentations commenced with Professor Sharon Lewin (Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity). Professor Lewin introduced some of the…
Participants in HIV cure trials will increasingly need to consider stopping antiretroviral treatment. This will be the only sure way to know if a cure strategy really works. In the U=U era, when HIV treatment is increasingly effective and easy to take, treatment interruption needs to be thoughtfully approached. An analytical treatment interruption, or ATI…
The only confirmed case of HIV cure, and two cases of long-term remission without treatment, are the result of stem cell transplants. In this article, we delve into the world of stem cell transplants and how they are being used in people living with HIV. To help, we have developed a transplantation glossary to explain…
For over 12 years, Timothy Ray Brown, known as the ‘Berlin Patient’, has been the only person to be cured of HIV infection. At the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Seattle, researchers have detailed a new case, known as the ‘London Patient’ who may be the second. The case has also been…
Harvard researchers have published exciting results on a combination approach to tackling latent HIV. In a monkey model of HIV infection, the group combined the innate immune activating compound GS-9620 (a toll-like receptor 7 agonist) with the broadly neutralising antibody PGT121. The combination was given while infected monkeys were on treatment. When treatment stopped, the…
Reducing the persistent stigma and discrimination related to HIV infection drives clinician scientist Jintanat Ananworanich. Her research interests range from HIV infection in children to dissecting the very early stages of HIV infection in adults. We caught up with Dr Ananworanich while she was in Melbourne to deliver a public lecture at the Doherty Institute….
HIV remission, or long-term HIV control off treatment, is the most likely next step towards an HIV cure. But in the era of effective ART and the U=U (undetectable = untransmissible) message, what would this mean for people living with HIV? Remission discussion We hosted a panel discussion at the 2017 Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference in…
The International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science was held in Paris last week. HIV scientists, clinicians and community advocates gathered to hear about the latest in HIV research. From more support for treatment as prevention and the loud ‘undetectable = untransmissable’ message, to advances in treatment, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and basic science, the conference…
HIV infection can be kept in check with antiretroviral therapy, but treatment has to continue for life or the virus quickly gets out of control. Recent research from the Rockefeller University in New York shows the potential of neutralising antibody infusions to manage HIV when normal treatment is stopped. The new study assessed infusions of…
This beautiful photographic essay was compiled by The Alfred in Melbourne, and all credit for this article goes to their amazing teams and the people they care for. This article is shared with permission of The Alfred.
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Working together with researchers and clinicians at The Alfred, members of the community of people living with HIV in Victoria have been integral to progressing ...
