NAPWA

According to the Canadian Observational CohortIn epidemiologyThe branch of medical science that deals with the study of incidence and distribution and control of a disease in a population., a group of individuals with some characteristics in common. A cohort study is a special kind of clinical trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. which looks at a treatment or treatment strategy in a cohort of people. collaboration, abacavir (ABC) or tenofovir (TDF) are equally effective in first-line treatment.

The authors found that in their group of treatment-naive patients starting treatment, there was no difference in time to suppression with ABC/3TC (Kivexa) versus TDF/FTC (Truvada). read more »

Compared to abacavir, tenofovir does increase bone mineral density (BMD) loss but not fracture risk, according to the results from the STEAL trial reported at the IAS Conference in Rome. read more »

It appears that the antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. NRTIA type of anti-HIV drug that works by inhibiting a stage of the HIV life cycle called reverse transcription. Non-nucleosides work in a similar way, but are chemically different. tenofovir (found in Viread, Truvada and Atripla) may also have a calming effect on the immune system and provide protection against infections other than HIV. Laboratory tests have found that tenofovir offered two types of protection. First, it suppressed the production of inflammatory messengers, such as Interleukin-8 (IL-8). read more »

The Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference was held in Sydney in October. Here are some of the treatment highlights: read more »

In what is being called a major breakthrough, a trial of a vaginal microbicide gel in South African women has shown for the first time that such a product can be effective against HIV infection. read more »

Despite having been linked to the kidneys, tenofovir (Viread and also in the combination pill Truvada) appears not to cause more problems than other NRTIA type of anti-HIV drug that works by inhibiting a stage of the HIV life cycle called reverse transcription. Non-nucleosides work in a similar way, but are chemically different. drugs, US investigators have reported. read more »

Those of us with HIV are more likely to have conditions such as osteopenia (low bone mineral density) and osteoporosis (weakened bones) than our negative contemporaries. read more »

A new antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. medication, FTC (emtricitabine, Emtriva) was listed on the PBS[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme[Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs.] The federal government program which subsidises medication costs in Australia. Anti-HIV drugs are part of a special part of the PBS called Section 100 (S100) which is used for expensive, highly specialised drugs. and became available for S100 prescription from 1 April. read more »

A controversial Cambodian trial of tenofovir for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) is unlikely to proceed after sex workers and the Cambodian government claimed the trial did not include adequate safeguards for the health and human rights of the participants. read more »

Australian researchers have teamed up with the US and Cambodia to conduct a study of the potential of the HIV antiviralA medication or substance which is active against one or more virusesA small infective organism which is incapable of reproducing outside a host cell.. May include anti-HIV drugs, but these are more accurately termed antiretroviralsA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV.. tenofovir, taken daily, to prevent HIV infection in women at high risk. read more »