Recent news

June 2011

Researchers cite progress and momentum on HIV/AIDS

June 10, 2011 -- To mark the recent 30th anniversary of the discovery of HIV/AIDS, scientists and researchers have cited recent progress and momentum in developing new treatment and prevention tools. For example, researchers are learning more about how HIV infects cells, and how to use the body’s own natural defenses to protect against the virus in the hope of discovering new vaccines, prevention options, and treatments. Scientists recently isolated 15 broadly neutralizing antibodies, or potent antibodies made by about 10 percent to 20 percent of people with enhanced natural defenses against HIV. The use of drug therapy to prevent HIV transmission has also gathered steam following a series of important clinical trials, and there has been groundbreaking new research on the use of microbicide gels to prevent HIV. “When you put all those prevention models together and in combination, we are getting closer and closer to being able to say we may be able to turn this epidemic around,” said Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health.

In addition, scientists and advocates have been focusing on developing a safe and effective HIV vaccine, particularly as increased access to effective therapies has turned HIV/AIDS into a chronic disease and treatment costs have increased. A recent projection from the group aids2031 estimated that by 2031, global HIV/AIDS costs could reach the equivalent of $35 billion a year, and a recent United Nations report said that the “trajectory of costs is wholly unsustainable.” The aids2031 projections also found that without improved prevention, funding issues will continue for decades. “Prevention is the sine qua non for turning off the tap and reducing the need for treatment,” said Robert Hecht of the Results for Development Institute. “Treating people who have HIV is an imperative, but it will never beat the pandemic,” Phil Wilson of the Black AIDS Institute and Seth Berkley of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative write in a new opinion piece. They add, “In an era of strained finances, it makes sense to invest in solutions that save money in the long run. HIV vaccine development fits that bill. As we mark the 30th anniversary of AIDS, these could be no better way to commemorate the occasion than to renew our commitment to its end.” See the links below for more information.

MORE NEWS