Inside This Issue: Highlights from the 2019 International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science, curated by topic. 

 

Highlights from the 2019 International AIDS Society Conference

The International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2019) is one of the world’s most influential meetings on HIV science and its applications. According to IAS, “this biennial conference presents the critical advances in basic, clinical, and operational research that moves science into policy and practice.” IAS 2019 was held on July 21 through 24 in Mexico City, Mexico.  Approximately 5,000 researchers, advocates, policy makers, funders, and community leaders from about 140 nations participated in the conference.

More than 1,100 research abstracts were presented on a wide range of topics, including: the global epidemic; HIV prevention, transmission, and treatment; living with HIV; the HIV continuum of care and ending the epidemic; and the effects of HIV on specific population groups.

This issue of In Brief is devoted to highlights from IAS 2019 in the form of headlines from the HIV, medical, scientific, and community press, together with links to more detailed coverage.  For your convenience, we have curated the headlines by topic, so that you may quickly review important developments and then explore in depth the news of greatest interest to you.

Resources on the IAS Website

The IAS website has a range of resources for the conference, including:
A list of the conference sessions by date. Site visitors can click on the session titles for a full list of abstracts and presenters, and research slide sets, as available.

A list of abstracts that are searchable by abstract number and key words in the title.

Rapporteur summaries. These daily summaries provide an excellent overview of highlights from each of the four main conference tracks – basic science; clinical science; prevention science; social, behavioral, and implementation science – and from community rapporteurs.

The IAS 2019 YouTube Channel includes videos of several IAS sessions.

The IAS press office also issued several press releases with conference highlights:

• Is the Global HIV Response in Crisis?
• The Future of the HIV Response
• New HIV Prevention Tools Address Realities of People’s Lives
• New Drugs and More Effective Treatment Regimens Featured at IAS 2019
• ECHO Study Finds High Rates of HIV and STIs Among Women in Trial Countries
• New Studies and WHO Guidance Clarify the Way Forward for Use of Dolutegravir in Women of Childbearing Age
• Outstanding Researchers and Young Investigators Recognized for Innovations and New Insights in HIV Science

Conference Blog Posts and Videos from HIV.gov

The Department of Health and Human Services HIV.gov site has published a series of blog posts and associated videos summarizing news from IAS 2019:

• Connection to HIV Care Helps Hardly Reached U.S. Populations Suppress the Virus
• Dr. Fauci Discusses Ending the HIV Epidemic from the 2019 IAS Conference on HIV Science
• HIV Prevention Research Updates from the 2019 IAS Conference on HIV Science
• HIV Research Updates from NIH’s Dr. Carl Dieffenbach at the 10th IAS Conference on HIV Science
• HIV Treatment Advances and Other Final HIV Research Updates from the 2019 IAS Conference on HIV Science
• PrEP Use Among Young African Women

 

IAS 2019 Really Rapid Review from NEJM Journal Watch

This concise summary by Dr. Paul Sax was published in NEJM Journal Watch shortly after the conference ended.  It includes a series of two- to four-sentence summaries of about 20 developments focusing primarily on HIV prevention and treatment. Links are provided to related research abstracts.

 

IAS 2019: Focus on the Global Epidemic

UNAIDS Outlines Progress on HIV, But Decries Funding Cuts (AIDSmap); related coverage from Poz

How 6 Very Different Places Across the Globe Lowered Their HIV Rates (Poz)

HIV Is Rising in Latin America, Driven Solely by Young Men (Poz)

Same-Day Initiation of PrEP Feasible and Safe in Latin America (AIDSmap)

Could Integrating HIV Prevention into Contraceptive Services Reduce Infections Among African Women? (AIDSmap)

ADVANCE Trial Shows Dolutegravir Is Highly Effective in South Africa (AIDSmap)

South Africa Saves $326 Million on Dolutegravir (AIDSmap)

Without Frequent Viral Load Monitoring Dolutegravir-Based Regimens Not the Best Choice for African Youth Failing ART (AIDSmap)

Low Harm Reduction Coverage for People Who Inject Drugs in South Africa (AIDSmap)

Poorer HIV Care Outcomes for Those Using Alcohol and Drugs in Sub-Saharan African Countries (AIDSmap)

Dolutegravir Leads to Weight Gain in Two African Studies (AIDSmap)

Three Forms of PrEP Stigma in Kenya (AIDSmap)

‘Mystery Shoppers’ in Kenyan Pharmacies Highlight Issues with Distribution of HIV Self-Tests (AIDSmap)

Collapse of Venezuela’s Health Infrastructure Dismantles HIV Response (Science Speaks Blog)

Huge Australian PrEP Study Maintains Very Low HIV Rate After Two Years (Poz)

 

 

IAS 2019: Focus on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

Who Stops Taking PrEP, and Why? (AIDSmap)

PrEP Implant Could Last Well Over a Year (AIDSmap); related coverage from Poz

WHO Endorses Event-Driven PrEP for Gay Men (AIDSmap)

PrEP Services Could Enhance STI Control, Says World Health Organization (AIDSmap)

Starting PrEP Does Not Lead to More STIs, Youth Survey in Chicago Finds (AIDSmap)

Southerners Support HIV Prevention, But Many Don’t Know U=U or PrEP (Poz)

Does Descovy Have a Role as PrEP in People Who Struggle with Adherence? (AIDSmap); related coverage from Poz

Huge Australian PrEP Study Maintains Very Low HIV Rate After Two Years (Poz)

PrEP Use Among Young African Women (HIV.gov)

Same-Day Initiation of PrEP Feasible and Safe in Latin America (AIDSmap)

Three Forms of PrEP Stigma in Kenya (AIDSmap)

While Dispelling Concerns of DPM HIV Risk, ECHO Study Yields Data on STIs, PrEP Interest, Pregnancy Rates (Science Speaks Blog)

 

 

IAS 2019: Focus on Testing, Prevention, and Transmission

Testing

Home Tests Aren’t an Accurate Way for People on HIV Treatment to Check They Still Have HIV (AIDSmap)

‘Mystery Shoppers’ in Kenyan Pharmacies Highlight Issues with Distribution of HIV Self-Tests (AIDSmap)

Recency Testing Opens Doors to Faster, Focused HIV Responses, Raises Questions of Community Involvement (Science Speaks Blog)

Prevention (Other Than PrEP)

HIV Prevention Research Updates from the 2019 IAS Conference on HIV Science (HIV.gov)

HIV Research Updates from NIH’s Dr. Carl Dieffenbach at the 10th IAS Conference on HIV Science (HIV.gov)

Dapivirine Vaginal Ring Effective and Acceptable with Longer Use (AIDSmap); related coverage from HIV.gov and Poz

Southerners Support HIV Prevention, But Many Don’t Know U=U or PrEP (Poz)

Could Integrating HIV Prevention into Contraceptive Services Reduce Infections Among African Women? (AIDSmap)

Good Long-Term Results for Mid-Stage HIV Vaccine Study (Poz)

New HIV Vaccine Trial in Americas and Europe Backed by Promising Earlier Study (Poz); additional coverage from Poz and AIDSmap

Trial Vaccine Could Protect Against HIV for More Than Five Years (AIDSmap)

HIV Research Updates from NIH’s Dr. Carl Dieffenbach at the 10th IAS Conference on HIV Science (HIV.gov)

Transmission

Men Accounted for Two-Thirds of HIV Transmission in PopART Prevention Trial (AIDSmap)

Here’s How Much the U=U Movement Has Grown in Three Years (Poz)

 

 

IAS 2019: Focus on Living with HIV

Preventing TB – the Leading Killer of People with HIV – Remains Tangential to Global HIV Responses (Science Speaks Blog)

Young People with Lifelong HIV and HCV Respond Well to Hep C Treatment (Poz)

13% of HIV-Positive Europeans Who Are Cured of Hepatitis C Are Reinfected (AIDSmap)

Statin Therapy Did Not Slow Atherosclerosis Progression in People with HIV (AIDSmap)

Poorer HIV Care Outcomes for Those Using Alcohol and Drugs in Sub-Saharan African Countries (AIDSmap)

Scientist Highlights the Weight of the Smallest Organism in HIV Risk (Science Speaks Blog)

Dolutegravir Leads to Weight Gain in Two African Studies (AIDSmap)

Dolutegravir Safety in Pregnancy: Risk Is Lower Than First Reported (AIDSmap)

 

 

IAS 2019: Focus on Continuum of Care & Ending the Epidemic

Connection to HIV Care Helps Hardly Reached U.S. Populations Suppress the Virus (HIV.gov)

Peer Recruiters Can Draw Gay Men and Trans Women with HIV Into Care (Poz)

An End to AIDS: A New Report Analyzing Key Prevention Successes (AVAC)

How 6 Very Different Places Across the Globe Lowered Their HIV Rates (Poz)

UNAIDS Report Shows Uneven Progress on HIV Epidemic (Poz)

Dr. Fauci Discusses Ending the HIV Epidemic from the 2019 IAS Conference on HIV Science (HIV.gov)

While Plans for HIV Control Innovations Accelerate, Community Input Remains an Afterthought (Science Speaks Blog)

 

 

IAS 2019: Focus on Specific Population Groups

Populations: LGBT
Data Shows Indigenous, Nonbinary Populations Among Those Missed by HIV Epidemic Ending Efforts (Science Speaks Blog)

HIV Outcomes for Transgender Women Improved by Addressing Social and Structural Issues (AIDSmap)

Peer Recruiters Can Draw Gay Men and Trans Women with HIV Into Care (Poz)

Promising HIV Vaccine to Be Tested with Gay Men and Trans People (AIDSmap)

WHO Endorses Event-Driven PrEP for Gay Men (AIDSmap)

HIV Is Rising in Latin America, Driven Solely by Young Men (Poz)

Populations: Persons Who Inject Drugs
Low Harm Reduction Coverage for People Who Inject Drugs in South Africa (AIDSmap)

Policing Practices Are Consistently Associated with HIV and Risk Behaviours Among People Who Inject Drugs (AIDSmap)

Populations: Women
Dapivirine Vaginal Ring Effective and Acceptable with Longer Use (AIDSmap); related coverage from HIV.gov and Poz

Dolutegravir Safety in Pregnancy: Risk Is Lower Than First Reported (AIDSmap)

With New Data, WHO Updates DTG Guidelines Including Women in Strong, Preferred Tecommendation (Science Speaks Blog)

Biktarvy Suppresses HIV Well in Women and Those with Drug Resistance (Poz)

PrEP Use Among Young African Women (HIV.gov)

Could Integrating HIV Prevention into Contraceptive Services Reduce Infections Among African Women? (AIDSmap)

While Dispelling Concerns of DPM HIV Risk, ECHO Study Yields Data on STIs, PrEP Interest, Pregnancy Rates (Science Speaks Blog)

Populations: Youth
Young People with Lifelong HIV and HCV Respond Well to Hep C Treatment (Poz)

PrEP Use Among Young African Women (HIV.gov)

HIV Is Rising in Latin America, Driven Solely by Young Men (Poz)

Without Frequent Viral Load Monitoring Dolutegravir-Based Regimens Not the Best Choice for African Youth Failing ART (AIDSmap)

 

 

IAS 2019: Focus on HIV Treatment and Cure Research

Treatment with Approved Antiretroviral Drugs (ARVs)

HIV Treatment Advances and Other Final HIV Research Updates from the 2019 IAS Conference on HIV Science (HIV.gov)

Four Days On, Three Days Off HIV Treatment Just as Effective as Continuous Therapy (AIDSmap); related coverage from Poz

Biktarvy Suppresses HIV Well in Women and Those with Drug Resistance (Poz)

Tivicay Plus Truvada or Descovy Is as Effective as Atripla at Treating HIV (Poz)

Dolutegravir Dual Therapy Works Well for Both First Line and Maintenance Treatment (AIDSmap)

ADVANCE Trial Shows Dolutegravir Is Highly Effective in South Africa (AIDSmap)

Dolutegravir Leads to Weight Gain in Two African Studies (AIDSmap)

Without Frequent Viral Load Monitoring Dolutegravir-Based Regimens Not the Best Choice for African Youth Failing ART (AIDSmap)

 

Treatment with Experimental ARVs and Cure Research

Fostemsavir Salvage Therapy Continues to Look Good at 96 Weeks (AIDSmap); related coverage from Poz

Islatravir Plus Doravirine May Offer New Dual Therapy Option (AIDSmap); related coverage from Poz

Gilead’s HIV Capsid Inhibitor Worked Well in 1st Human Trial (Poz)

People with HIV Express High Satisfaction with Monthly Injectable Regimen (AIDSmap); related coverage from Poz

First Trial Results of New Immune-Modulating Drugs Presented in Mexico City (AIDSmap)

Beyond Antibodies: Conference Hears of New Molecular Tools to Kill HIV-Infected Reservoir Cells (AIDSmap)

Could a Better Understanding of Inflammation Help Research Towards an HIV Cure?