NAPWA

At the turn of the century, combinations of three or more 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.. drugs were shown to be highly effective in treating HIV disease. At the time it was hoped that after long periods on these drugs it may be possible to ‘eradicate’ HIV from the body. In 2008 it is now known this is not possible with the current treatments. read more »

From Treat Yourself Right, this article covers issues around stopping and re-starting HIV treatments. Written for positive women. read more »

HIV positive? Want to hear the latest about HIV treatments and health? You should, because there have been important developments in HIV treatments over the past year. To catch up with the latest information, watch a webcast of a community treatment update held in Sydney on 25 November. read more »

The annual conference of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHMAustralasian Society for HIV Medicine. The peak Australasian organisation representing the medical and health sector in HIV/AIDS and related areas. ) was held in Melbourne in November. This article summarises some key developments. read more »

The sudden cancellation of a large HIV clinical studyA clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. 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 IA clinical trial designed to establish whether an experimental drug is safe for humans to take. Phase I studies determine the metabolism and pharmacologic actions of drugs in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and look for early evidence of effectiveness; these studies may include either people with HIV, HIV-negative volunteers, or both tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase IIA smaller clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective. Phase II studies are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug for a particular indication or indications in patients with the disease or condition under study and to determine the common short-term side effects and risks. If there is evidence that the drug is effective, a Phase III study is undertaken, with a larger number of participaants, to confirm this. expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase IIIA large clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective and safe enough for widespread use. Phase III studies include expanded controlled and uncontrolled trials after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of the drug has been obtained, and are intended to gather additional information to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and provide and adequate basis for physician labeling. expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IVPost-marketing studies to delineate additional information including the drug's risks, benefits, and optimal use. takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. has significant implications for how we treat HIV. KIRSTY MACHON reports. read more »

With the SMART trial making treatment interruptions a much less attractive option for people with HIV, we take a look at one man’s experience of taking a break from treatments. read more »

HIV-related news in brief from the June-July 2005 edition of Positive Living. read more »

The annual conference of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHMAustralasian Society for HIV Medicine. The peak Australasian organisation representing the medical and health sector in HIV/AIDS and related areas. ) is Australia’s only regular HIV medical conference. PAUL KIDD reports on the latest medical developments discussed at this year’s conference in Cairns. read more »

The major international AIDS conference for 2003 has ended with encouraging signs of growing international commitment to fight AIDS in the developing world, and with several promising medical developments. read more »

HIV-related news in brief from the June-July 2003 edition of Positive Living. read more »