Priorities for the
Year
AVAC's Playbook 2012 sets out top
strategic goals and priorities in HIV
prevention for ourselves—and for the world.
Here's what we have to say about treatment as
prevention. For more, visit www.avac.org/playbook.
What's New
HPTN 052 Trial Confirms ARV
Treatment is a Powerful Prevention
Tool
The sponsors of a randomized clinical trial
known as HPTN 052, which is evaluating
combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV
prevention, announced that randomization would
halt due to overwhelming evidence of
benefit.
- HPTN 052 trial page
- HPTN statement
- US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases statement
- US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases FAQ
- AVAC statement
- AVAC's table of ongoing trials of treatment as prevention worldwide
A new article in the Lancet (click here, free with registration) describes a strategic investment framework that is intended to support better management of national and international HIV/AIDS responses than exists with the present system—with combination ART as one of the “core activities” for achieving prevention and treatment goals.
Background on Treatment as Prevention
There are several trials evaluating the use of ARV-based prevention in people with HIV. The goal of these “treatment as prevention” strategies is to reduce viral load and thereby reduce individuals’ infectiousness.
Such a strategy could have an impact on rates of new infections in some settings. However, there are many challenges, including current gaps in coverage of ARVs for people who are clinically eligible for them, low rates of HIV testing, additional scientific questions about the exact relationship between HIV viral load in the blood and risk of transmission, and the lack of consensus around the best time for individuals to begin treatment.
These uncertainties require additional research as well as policy and community discussions. This discussion and any future programmatic decisions require additional data and will inevitably need to balance individual benefits of treatment with possible wider-spread public health benefits of prevention.
Introductory Information
- About Treatment as Prevention
- What is Treatment as Prevention and What is it Not?
- Treatment as Prevention: Frequently Asked Questions
- ARV-Based Prevention in HIV-Positive Individuals: Relevant studies
Ongoing Trials and Recent Results
In-depth Treatment as Prevention Resources