JIAS unveils special issue on long acting HIV prevention at IAS 2023 Conference

Brisbane: The Journal of the International AIDS Society (JIAS) has unveiled a special issue titled "Advancing use of long-acting and extended delivery (LAED) HIV prevention and treatment regimens" during the 12th IAS Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2023).

This special issue was guided by Guest Editors Sinéad Delany-Moretlwe (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa), Charles Flexner (Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA), and José A Bauermeister (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA).

The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Therapeutics Research Program and the National Institute of Mental Health, Division of AIDS Research, provided the funding for the project.

Global data shows that 170,000 adolcents 10-19 years of age were newly affected with HIV in 2020#IAS2023 @iasociety #Brisbane pic.twitter.com/nS4O9droS3

— sania chuhdary (@saniachuhdary) July 24, 2023

Long-acting and extended delivery (LAED) HIV products have the potential to revolutionize HIV prevention and treatment by offering dosing schedules measured in months rather than days. However, the implementation of these regimens might encounter challenges similar to those faced by oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Such challenges include issues related to cost, delivery, uptake, and consistent usage, particularly in resource-limited areas and among key populations. While long-acting regimens hold promise in overcoming many of the challenges associated with daily oral regimens, uncertainties remain about the optimal methods for promoting uptake, managing product switching, and determining the best service delivery models for long-acting products.

The articles featured in this special issue underscore three key messages: understanding end-user needs, desires, and contexts can enhance LAED development and delivery; multilevel initiatives are necessary to address existing and potential barriers to LAED access, particularly in regions with limited health resources and disparities in health access; and a multidisciplinary research agenda is essential to develop further long-acting options and strategies to support their effective and equitable use.

The goal of the IAS is to unite the #HIV response to overcome HIV as a threat to public health and individual well-being.#IAS2023 @iasociety #Brisbane #Australia pic.twitter.com/jjtR6AwZ3R

— sania chuhdary (@saniachuhdary) July 24, 2023

The special issue delves into various opportunities and challenges that must be considered to advance the field as LAED regimens are developed and implemented. It sheds light on how structural, policy, community, and healthcare contexts can either facilitate or hinder the delivery of LAED regimens.

The IAS Conference on HIV Science, IAS 2023, held biennially, is the world's most influential meeting on HIV research and its applications. It showcases critical advancements in basic, clinical, and operational HIV research, translating scientific findings into policy and practice. With its inclusive and diverse program, the conference sets the standard for HIV science, featuring cutting-edge research. Taking place in Brisbane, Australia, from 23 to 26 July 2023, IAS 2023 is expected to attract over 5,000 scientists, clinicians, public health experts, community leaders, and individuals living with HIV. For more information, visit www.iasociety.org/conferences/IAS2023.

"We are at an exciting moment in the #HIV prevention space. We have more prevention options than ever before." - @HIVpxresearch’S Maureen Luba ?? #IAS2023 pic.twitter.com/mk1a86UiN9

— IAS - the International AIDS Society (@iasociety) July 25, 2023

The International AIDS Society (IAS) is dedicated to convening, educating, and advocating for a world where HIV no longer poses a threat to public health and individual well-being. Originally established by concerned scientists in response to the emergence of HIV and AIDS, the IAS brings together experts from diverse disciplines and regions to promote a coordinated HIV response. Today, the IAS and its members unite scientists, policymakers, and activists to drive the scientific response, foster global solidarity, and uphold human dignity for all those affected by HIV. The IAS hosts the world's most prestigious HIV conferences, including the International AIDS Conference, the IAS Conference on HIV Science, and the HIV Research for Prevention Conference.