Twice-yearly injection reduces risk of HIV infection by 96%
A HIV The drug has been found to reduce the risk of infection, offering greater protection than the primary pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option currently available. According to data from pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, the results of a phase 3 clinical trial determined that 99.9% of participants who received a twice-yearly injection of lenacapavir for HIV prevention did not become infected.
A CNN report says there were only two cases among 2,180 patients, thus reducing the risk of HIV infection by 96% and proving 89% more effective than Truvada, a pill that must be taken once a day.
Human immunodeficiency virus, also known as HIV, is an infection that affects the immune system. When the condition is not treated, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This is the most advanced stage of HIV. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HIV has caused 40.4 million deaths. [32.9–51.3 million] lives so far with ongoing transmission in all countries of the world. “It is estimated that there were 39.0 million [33.1–45.7 million] people living with HIV by the end of 2022.”
HIV damages the immune system, making the body less able to fight off infections and diseases. Mayo Clinic says that if HIV is left untreated, it can take years before it weakens the immune system enough to develop into AIDS.
Onyema Ogbuagu, principal investigator of the trial and director of the Yale Antiviral and Vaccine Research Program, said: “The difficulty some people may experience in taking an oral pill every day, including challenges with adherence and stigma, have hampered adoption and persistence of the standard of care for too long, thereby mitigating the impact of PrEP on HIV prevention.”
Ogbuagu added: “The incredible efficacy demonstrated in the PURPOSE 2 trial, the potential benefits of a twice-yearly injection, and the diversity of trial sites and participants show the impact that lenacapavir for PrEP could have for people around the world who need new options to reduce their chances of contracting HIV. This advancement significantly adds to our arsenal of tools to move us closer to achieving an AIDS-free generation.”
Eighty-eight trials were conducted in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, and the United States. The trials included cisgender men, transgender men, transgender women, and gender non-binary people aged 16 years or older who have sex with partners who were assigned male at birth.
Another recent clinical trial, conducted in South Africa and Uganda and published in July, found that a twice-yearly injection of a new pre-exposure prophylaxis drug provides young women with complete protection against HIV infection. The trial tested the injection of Lenacapavir for six months, which seemed to offer better protection against HIV infection than two other drugs, both given daily.
Gilead said it will use data from these trials to begin the process of approving the drug in several countries before the end of the year. The company plans to prioritize approval in high-incidence, low-resource countries.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this post is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the post for any purpose.
We respect the intellectual property rights of content creators. If you are the owner of any material featured on our website and have concerns about its use, please contact us. We are committed to addressing any copyright issues promptly and will remove any material within 2 days of receiving a request from the rightful owner.