By Daniel Igboekwe
The International AIDS Society (IAS), today unveiled promising new data on HIV prevention, including advancements in PrEP and vaccine research at the ongoing HIV Research for Prevention Conference (HIVR4P 2024).
Among the key highlights is data from the PURPOSE 2 study, which examines the efficacy of twice-yearly lenacapavir for HIV prevention.
The principal investigator of the PURPOSE 2 study, Dr. Colleen Kelley of Emory University, revealed that out of 2,184 participants who received subcutaneous lenacapavir injections every six months, only two HIV acquisitions were reported.
The study participants included diverse demographics from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, and the United States.
The findings will be presented on October 8 at the conference.
Preliminary analysis indicates that lenacapavir reduces HIV acquisition by 96% compared to background incidence rates and outperforms daily F/TDF for HIV prevention. This follows the success of the PURPOSE 1 study, which showed 100% efficacy among cisgender women in Africa. Gilead Sciences plans to initiate global regulatory filings by the end of 2024.
President of the International AIDS Society (IAS), Beatriz Grinsztejn emphasized the transformative potential of lenacapavir across all genders and stressed the need for global stakeholders to plan for an equitable rollout.
While the IAS commended Gilead for its voluntary licensing agreements to expand lenacapavir access in high-incidence, resource-limited countries, Grinsztejn expressed concern about the lack of coverage in many regions, particularly in Latin America.
Research from South Africa shows that the three-month DVR has pharmacokinetic superiority over the monthly DVR. The finding suggests that a longer-lasting ring could offer cost savings and convenience for users, potentially enhancing adherence and effectiveness.
The CATALYST study, conducted in five African countries, revealed that while most women preferred daily oral PrEP, a significant proportion opted for the DVR. The study’s findings highlight the importance of offering diverse PrEP options to increase usage and effectiveness in real-world settings.
A sub-study of HPTN 084 found no pharmacologic interactions between long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) and various hormonal contraceptives, demonstrating compatibility and flexibility for women using PrEP.
Researchers presented preclinical data on a drug-agnostic, refillable subdermal implant that delivers antiretrovirals for HIV prevention for up to 29 months. This innovative approach offers a potentially low-cost, minimally invasive option for long-term HIV protection.
A novel fractional escalating dosing strategy has shown to enhance early immune responses in an experimental HIV vaccine, demonstrating the potential to improve the effectiveness of vaccines aimed at eliciting broadly neutralizing antibodies.
This year’s HIVR4P marks its debut in Latin America, highlighting the region’s increasing HIV prevention needs. Despite expanded antiretroviral therapy, new HIV acquisitions in Latin America have risen by 9% between 2010 and 2023. Grinsztejn emphasized the urgent need to scale up HIV prevention efforts and expand access to powerful new tools like PrEP.
HIVR4P is the only global scientific conference solely focused on HIV prevention research, covering topics such as vaccines, microbicides, PrEP, and biomedical interventions. The conference gathers experts from around the world to share knowledge and address pressing challenges.
The International AIDS Society (IAS), the organizer of HIVR4P, is a global leader in HIV advocacy and scientific collaboration, aiming to end HIV as a public health threat. The IAS hosts some of the world’s most prestigious HIV conferences, including the International AIDS Conference and the IAS Conference on HIV Science.