HIV prevention: the new injection every six months is enough
The six-month injection of the new drug Lenacapavir has proven incredibly effective in preventing HIV infection
A new chapter in the fight against HIV has opened with the results of the Purpose 1 study, presented at the 25th International AIDS Conference in Munich. The six-month injection of the new drug Lenacapavir proved incredibly effective in preventing infection and showed surprising results.
A revolutionary drug
Current pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), i.e., taking antiretroviral drugs to prevent HIV infection, has already proven its effectiveness. However, adherence to daily therapy is often a significant obstacle. In contrast, the semi-annual injection of Lenacapavir solves this problem, offering lasting protection and requiring less commitment from the patient.
Research findings
From what the research results showed, the six-month injection of the new drug Lenacapavir proved incredibly effective in preventing HIV infection in more than 2,000 young women in South Africa and Uganda. This finding, published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, represents a major breakthrough in HIV prevention, offering a simpler and more effective alternative to the daily pills used to date.
Research challenges
Despite these promising results, challenges remain. First, there is a need to ensure rapid approval and equitable access to Lenacapavir worldwide. Sharon Lewin, outgoing president of the International AIDS Society, emphasized the enormous potential of this discovery: “If approved and made affordable, Lenacapavir could significantly accelerate the achievement of the goal of preventing HIV in people who need it.” Beatriz Grinsztejn, new president of Ias, then added that it is critical to ensure access to these new therapies even in low- and middle-income countries, where the HIV epidemic disproportionately affects marginalized communities.
In addition to this, studies are underway to evaluate the efficacy of other long-acting molecules, such as Cabotegravir, which could offer additional preventive options.
Lenacapavir in Italy
In Italy, lenacapavir has already been authorized by the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA), but only to treat people with HIV1 resistant to multiple treatment options who cannot use another antiviral regimen. This new molecule represents a breakthrough in the fight against the virus, and its potential approval for prevention would mark another milestone. Indeed, it would be the first drug to offer six-month protection against HIV, revolutionizing current preventive practices. As Roberto Burioni pointed out, “It’s not a miracle, it’s science,” a concrete demonstration of how scientific research can improve people’s lives.