HIV Vaccine

The HIV vaccine is a combination antiretroviral vaccine that protects people who are HIV-negative and at high risk of infection from HIV infection.

According to the WHO, "every minute, one person in the world dies from AIDS-related causes."

According to a UN report, there are about 39.9 million people living with HIV in the world, and 9.3 million (almost a quarter) are still not receiving life-saving treatment. ^[1]

The report states that if countries "take decisive action" to ensure funding and protect the rights of every person to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS, the number of people living with HIV and requiring lifelong treatment is projected to fall to 29 million by 2050. However, if no such action is taken, the number of people requiring lifelong treatment will increase to 46 million. ^[2]

Vaccine for HIV prevention

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first injectable HIV prevention drug for adults and adolescents, which only needs to be taken every two months to provide a higher level of protection than pre-exposure prophylaxis pills. The pills are designed to be highly effective, and are 99% effective against HIV.

In order for these drugs to remain effective, they must be taken daily, which places certain restrictions on the people taking them. There is also the psychological discomfort of having to be reminded of the disease every day. ^[3]

Apretude is developed by ViiV Healthcare. ^[4]

Apretude is an injectable suspension with extended release of the antiviral drug cabotegravir. Unlike cabotegravir in tablet form, Apretude must be administered via intramuscular injection every two months, with the first two doses administered at a shorter interval of one month.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an antiretroviral drug that protects HIV-negative people who are at risk of contracting HIV through sexual contact, when prescribed by a doctor.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new recommendations for the use of the injectable long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV. The CAB-LA regimen involves two initial doses of the drug 4 weeks apart, followed by maintenance injections every 8 weeks.

Long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) is a long-acting injectable drug of the integrase strand transfer inhibitor class (antiretroviral drugs) that can be prescribed to adults weighing at least 35 kg. CAB-LA is used to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted HIV-1 infection for intramuscular injection. ^[5]

Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV

Current HIV treatment methods involve daily administration of antiretroviral tablets that prevent the spread of the infection in the body. However, this regimen imposes limitations on patients themselves, as they may forget and skip taking their medication, which increases the risk of HIV developing drug resistance.

To reduce the frequency of medication administration for HIV patients, pharmaceutical company ViiV Healthcare has developed an injectable drug called Cabenuva. It consists of two drugs: rilpivirine and cabotegravir. The drugs are delivered together but in separate vials, as they must be administered as separate injections. To be effective, these drugs must be administered once a month. ^[6]

See also

• HIV Vaccine Trials Network
• AIDSVAX
• AIDS vaccine
• HIV Vaccine development

References

1. DeMeester, T. R.; Johnson, L. F. (January 1975). "Evaluation of the Nissen antireflux procedure by esophageal manometry and twenty-four hour pH monitoring". American Journal of Surgery. 129 (1): 94–100. doi:10.1016/0002-9610(75)90174-9. ISSN   0002-9610. PMID   2024.
2. Khalifa, Aleya; Stover, John; Mahy, Mary; Idele, Priscilla; Porth, Tyler; Lwamba, Chibwe (2019). "Demographic change and HIV epidemic projections to 2050 for adolescents and young people aged 15-24". Global Health Action. 12 (1): 1662685. doi:10.1080/16549716.2019.1662685. ISSN   1654-9880. PMC   6746261 . PMID   31510887.
3. Commissioner, Office of the (2024-08-09). "FDA Approves First Injectable Treatment for HIV Pre-Exposure Prevention". FDA. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
4. "ViiV Healthcare announces FDA approval of Apretude (cabotegravir extended-release injectable suspension), the first and only long-acting injectable option for HIV prevention". viivhealthcare.com. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
5. "WHO recommends long-acting cabotegravir for HIV prevention". www.who.int. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
6. Commissioner, Office of the (2021-01-21). "FDA Approves First Extended-Release, Injectable Drug Regimen for Adults Living with HIV". FDA. Retrieved 2025-02-22.