Several innovative but preliminary treatment approaches were presented Monday at the 2010 International AIDS Conference currently underway in Vienna, Austria. Presentations included the results of animal and laboratory studies on novel drugs and new generations of traditional therapies.

Two of the studies focused on methods to completely eliminate HIV from the body. More specifically, they targeted latent HIV – HIV that lies dormant in infected cells and can start multiplying again if antiretroviral therapy is stopped.

Latent HIV is difficult to get rid of because after infection, the virus actually…

Researchers presented results of five studies involving new HIV treatment regimens yesterday as part of the 2010 International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria. Three of the studies involved simplified treatments meant to reduce side effects, and the other two studies presented clinical trial results for potential new antiretrovirals.

The studies, which yielded mostly positive results, illustrate the growing variety of treatment and medication options for people with HIV.

The three studies involving new treatment regimens all use Isentress (raltegravir), an integrase inhibitor approved by the United States Food and Drug…

The 18th International AIDS Conference, AIDS 2010, will take place in Vienna, Austria from July 18 to July 23. The conference – held every two years – brings together over 20,000 scientists, policy makers, health workers, activists, business leaders, and people with HIV and AIDS.

AIDS 2010 overlaps with a major push to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care by the end of this year. As a poor global economy threatens to reduce public investment, the conference will focus on the value of HIV financing in achieving…