HIV / AIDS

Four HIV Awareness Month conversations with Kristine Erlandson, MD; Joanne Stekler, MD, MPH; Oni Blackstock, MD, MHS; and Jason Baeten, MD, PhD, reveal what's holding back an epidemic we have the tools to end.

Jared Baeten, MD, PhD, discusses what the PURPOSE 1 and 2 trial data reveal about lenacapavir adherence, long-acting PrEP candidate selection, the treatment pipeline, and access barriers for twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention.

Oni Blackstock, MD, MHS, discusses why HIV prevention stalls despite breakthroughs: funding cuts, Medicaid gaps, and structural racism keep PrEP and care out of reach.

Joanne D. Stekler, MD, MPH, discusses why many Americans still miss HIV diagnosis—and how opt-out screening, rapid tests, self-tests, and same-day treatment close the gap.

A once-weekly oral HIV treatment combining islatravir and lenacapavir achieved its primary efficacy endpoint in 2 phase 3 trials, bringing the investigational regimen closer to becoming the first approved long-acting oral HIV therapy.

Why people with HIV age faster: Kristine Erlandson, MD, offers expert tips on frailty, HAND screening, statins post-REPRIEVE, and avoiding ART drug interactions.

A first-in-human HIV duoCAR-T shows encouraging safety in data presented at ASCGT, with early evidence of viral suppression for up to 2 years after stopping ART.

Gilead Sciences will receive FDA review for its investigational bictegravir/lenacapavir (BIC/LEN) single-tablet HIV regimen, with a decision expected by late summer.

Doravirine/islatravir (Idvynso), is a non-INSTI, tenofovir-free alternative for virologically suppressed adults, with efficacy, safety, and potential benefits for aging populations managing complex treatment needs. Amy Colson, MD, MPH, offers some insights about the phase 3 trial and how clinicians may want to consider its use for patients.

The federal agency has given the nod to doravirine/islatravir (Idvynso), a once-daily, 2-drug HIV treatment that demonstrated noninferior efficacy to standard 3-drug regimens in phase 3 trials, expanding options for adults with virological suppression.

New research shows that antiretroviral therapy can reduce HIV-related accelerated biological aging by nearly 4 years, highlighting the critical importance of early and sustained treatment.

A new bipartisan bill aims to eliminate cost barriers and expand access to PrEP by mandating comprehensive coverage and launching a national program for uninsured populations.

By launching during the Super Bowl pregame and the Grammy Awards, Gilead’s One2PrEP campaign used music, mainstream media, and bold visibility to normalize conversations about HIV prevention and expand awareness of evolving PrEP options.

Phase 1 data show that the long-acting HIV-1 capsid inhibitor VH-499 is well tolerated as a single intramuscular or subcutaneous injection and demonstrates pharmacokinetics supportive of long-acting dosing intervals.

Amy Colson, MD, MPH, discusses data from the MK-8591A-052 trial that showed that switching to doravirine/islatravir maintained durable virologic suppression with efficacy and safety comparable to continuing bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide.

New 96-week subgroup data from the PASO-DOBLE study show that adults with virologically suppressed HIV who switched to dolutegravir/lamivudine experienced significantly lower rates of steatotic liver disease than those who switched to bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide, particularly among individuals with clinically meaningful weight gain.

In the phase 3 ARTISTRY-2 trial, switching people with virologically suppressed HIV from B/F/TAF to a once-daily bictegravir/lenacapavir single-tablet regimen maintained viral suppression through week 48 with comparable safety and tolerability.

In a phase 3 study of virologically suppressed adults with HIV, switching to once-daily doravirine/islatravir (DOR/ISL 100/0.25 mg) maintained high rates of viral suppression through 96 weeks, with no emergent resistance and a favorable safety profile.

In the final FY2026 spending bill, Congress rejected proposed House Republican cuts of more than $1.7 billion and instead maintained bipartisan funding for HIV prevention and treatment programs, while urging the Trump administration to focus on effective implementation.

The twice-yearly injectable, which significantly reduces HIV incidence compared with oral regimens, has high adherence and manageable adverse effects.

Amy Colson, MD, MPH, discusses phase 2 data showing durable virologic suppression, low resistance risk, and favorable safety with weekly oral islatravir plus lenacapavir in suppressed adults with HIV.

Zandraetta Tims-Cook, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, discusses access challenges, missed-dose management, and scalable care models for cabotegravir PrEP in women.

Gilead Sciences reported positive phase 3 ARTISTRY-2 results demonstrating that a once-daily single-tablet combination of bictegravir and lenacapavir is statistically noninferior to bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide tablets in virologically suppressed adults with HIV. The company plans to file for regulatory submissions for approval.

WHO and UNAIDS warn of service disruptions, widening inequities, and mounting drug-resistance threats, while highlighting innovations and commitments needed to end AIDS as a public health threat.

Merck’s investigational once-daily, 2-drug HIV regimen, doravirine/islatravir, achieved its primary efficacy and safety end points in a phase 3 trial.