What's New at the ICRC
Can a pill a day stop new HIV infections?
"A powerful new HIV prevention tool may be on the horizon. Scientists are saying they could be on the verge of ascertaining whether taking anti-retroviral drugs before exposure to HIV could be an effective prevention tool. The Pre-exposure prophalyxis (PrEP) trial is going on in Botswana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Thailand and USA. African researchers involved in the study say they are “very hopeful”" -- The Independent
(April 1, 2009)
PrEP Cost Effectiveness
"The combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine shows promise as HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). We sought to forecast clinical, epidemiologic, and economic outcomes of PrEP, taking into account uncertainties regarding efficacy, the risks of developing drug resistance and toxicity, behavioral disinhibition, and drug costs" -- Clinical Infectious Diseases
(March 15, 2009)
Scientists Debate HIV Prevention Products
"For years now, scientists have tried to find a product that would give women in developing countries more control in protecting themselves against sexually transmitted HIV. They have yet to find a universally effective and safe method. A recent study presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Montreal highlighted the dilemmas in this field. . . ." -- npr
(March 10, 2009)
A preemptive strike against HIV
"Researchers are enrolling thousands of participants around the world in clinical trials in a massive effort to test whether a once-daily pill can prevent HIV. Cassandra Willyard explores why they are optimistic the strategy will work and why it might be difficult to implement." -- Nature Medicine
(February 1, 2009)
PrEP: future implementation challenges
"Researchers are enrolling thousands of participants around the world in clinical trials in a massive effort to test whether a once-daily pill can prevent HIV. Cassandra Willyard explores why they are optimistic the strategy will work and why it might be difficult to implement." -- Future Medicine
(January 9 2009)
New hope for HIV-discordant couples
"A new clinical trial to test the effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis in stable sexual relationships has started in Uganda, with 3,900 discordant couples enrolled in a five-year study." -- PlusNews
(November 14, 2008)
Kampala team enrolls first couple in the Partners PrEP Study
The Partners PrEP Study has officially started. The first discordant couple was enrolled at the Kampala, Uganda site on July 3, 2008.
(July 3, 2008)
HPTN 039 results in The Lancet
Effect of aciclovir on HIV-1 acquisition in herpes simplex virus 2 seropositive women and men who have sex with men: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
(June 21, 2008)
2008 National STD Prevention Conference presentation
On March 12, 2008 Connie Celum presented "HSV-HIV Interactions: Results of the HPTN 039 Study and Beyond" at the 2008 National STD Prevention Conference in Chicago, IL.
(March 12, 2008)