Fw: Are People With Low CD4s Getting Left Behind in Cure Research?

[Guest guest]

From: AIDSmeds <news@...>Date: Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:21:23 -0500<nelsonvergel@...>Subject: Are People With Low CD4s Getting Left Behind in Cure Research? Treatment News January 17, 2012ManyYoung HIV-Positive Women May Benefit From Cervical CancerVaccine Young women living with HIV maybenefit from vaccinations that protect against cervicalcancer, according to a new study showing that manyHIV-positive women averaging 21 years of age are negativefor the human papillomavirus (HPV) types typicallyassociated with tumors, according to a new analysis. Theseencouraging findings were presented at the 2nd InternationalWorkshop on HIV and Women, held January 9 and 10 inBethesda, land, and were reported by the National AIDSTreatment Activist Project (NATAP). AIDSGroups File Brief in Support of Health Care Reform The Center for HIV Law andPolicy (CHLP) and 15 other HIV advocacy organizations fileda friend-of-the-court brief January 13 in the U.S. SupremeCourt in support of the Patient Protection and AffordableCare Act, a.k.a. health care reform, according to a CHLPstatement. January 13,2012StudyConfirms Viral Load Most Important Predictor of HIVTransmission A new African study ofheterosexual HIV-serodiscordant couples—in which onepartner is positive and the other is negative—confirmsthat viral load is the most important factor influencing therisk of transmitting the virus, according to data publishedin the February 1 issue of The Journal of InfectiousDiseases. January 12, 2012OccasionalMarijuana Smoking Does Not Impair Lung Function Potential good news formarijuana users—occasionally smoking pot did notaffect pulmonary function and may actually increase lungairflow rates and lung capacity, according to a new studypublished in the January 11 issue of The Journal of theAmerican Medical Association (JAMA). LowerHIV Cases, AIDS Deaths in British Columbia AIDS deaths and new HIV casesare decreasing in British Columbia, Canada, The New YorkTimes reports.January 11, 2012DepressionMore Common Among HIV-Positive Women Than Men Depression is more common amongwomen living with HIV, compared with men living with HIV,according to an international study reported at the 2ndInternational Workshop on HIV and Women, held January 9 and10 in Bethesda, land, and highlighted by the NationalAIDS Treatment Advocacy Project (NATAP). Heard in the Blogs ArePeople With Low CD4s Getting Left Behind in CureResearch?I had mixed feelings about the announcementa few days ago about two new clinical trials being launchedby Sangamo Biosciences, which is in hot pursuit of afunctional cure for HIV.I understand the need to aim for quickand demonstrative success when you don't have deep pocketsand must constantly look for investments or partnershipopportunities with bigger companies. That said, I would behappier if Sangamo would launch a third trial with theprimary goal being to significantly elevate CD4 responses inimmunologic non-responders and to look in more intensiveways at how functional those new CD4s are in protectingthose individuals from health problems and opportunisticinfections. Right now there are few promising treatmentsunder study to boost CD4s in immunologic non-responders andI'd hate to see one of them demolished under the weight oflofty ambitions.Oriol R. Gutierrez Jr.HomophobeEmbraces AIDS DenialismThe extreme religious right in the United States oftenuses HIV/AIDS to scare their faithful into submission. Don'trepeal the Defense of Marriage Act because it prevents HIV,which causes AIDS, they say. Make your gay kids straight,they say, because if you don't your kids are going to getHIV, which causes AIDS.Obviously, I disagree with their point ofview. That said, I do agree with them about one thing -- HIVcauses AIDS. That small common ground didn't seem like much,until now.Heard in the ForumsAfter 6 months of beingdiagnosed poz, my latest lab results show CD4 667 and VLundetectable. Since my first lab, my VL kept decreasing,297, 235, and 158. I am relieved to know that my body iscontrolling the virus. At the same time I feel a bit uneasedand have a few questions. Is there a test/number (other thanCD4) to see if my body is working hard to control the virus?I am worried if it will take a toll on my immu systemwithout meds in the long run. Given my situation, my IDdoesn't see a compelling reason to start meds. At what pointwill I need to start meds? As soon as my VL is detectedagain?—Jacken's " Undetectablewithout meds and have questions " At your request,you are subscribed asnelsonvergel@... to the followingnewsletter(s): AIDSmeds NewsletterPlease remember to add news@... toyour e-mail address book, so that these updates aren'tblocked as spam.To change your subscription information and preferences,please visit lists.smartandstrong.com/?p=preferencesTo stop receiving this newsletter, please visit lists.smartandstrong.com/?p=unsubscribeClick thislink to forward this message to a friend. Did you receive this e-mail from a friend? Please visit lists.smartandstrong.com/?p=subscribe&id=9to signup for your own copy.Copyright 2012 Smart + Strong, 462 Seventh Avenue, 19thFloor, New York, NY 10018. All rights reserved. Terms OfUse and YourPrivacy.powered by phplist v2.10.17, © phpList ltd