Fw: TAGLine Spring 2012: TAG at 20, Therapeutic Vaccines, HCV Drug-drug Interactions, The End of PEPFAR? Childhood TB Advocacy

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From: "Treatment Action Group" <Treatment_Action_Group@...>Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2012 14:05:37 +0000<nelsonvergel@...>Reply "Treatment Action Group" <reply-f19b696982-89845d6f83-f7ab@...>Subject: TAGLine Spring 2012: TAG at 20, Therapeutic Vaccines, HCV Drug-drug Interactions, The End of PEPFAR? Childhood TB AdvocacyNEWS ON THE FIGHT FOR BETTER TREATMENT, A VACCINE, AND A CURE FOR AIDSApril 2010Read this issue of TAGline online TAG at 20On January 22, 2012, the Treatment Action Group marked its twentieth anniversary. Over the past two decades, we have helped to accelerate a historically unprecedented therapeutic revolution: the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1995–96, followed by its rollout to nearly seven million people worldwide. TAGline will publish a series of articles this year to examine the role of AIDS activism—and its evolving strategies—in these accomplishments, and how these experiences can help us build the long road towards the cure still ahead. In this issue: TAG's Early Campaigns: Reforming NIH AIDS Research, Boosting the Budget, and Revitalizing the Basic Science of HIV InfectionThe Odyssey of Therapeutic Vaccines for HIVIn the earliest days after the discovery of HIV, uncertainty reigned regarding how the immune system responded to the virus. Initially, it seemed logical that vaccination could be used to bolster immune response to HIV and thus delay or even prevent the development of illness. But the first efforts quickly mired therapeutic vaccine research in controversy by the failure of any candidate to show significant efficacy. After a period in which enthusiasm waned, the recent resurgence in interest in research aiming to cure HIV infection has offered new reasons to pursue their development.What You Don’t Know, You Can Sell:Merck’s Cavalier Attitude Towards the Welfare of HIV/HCV Coinfected PatientsPegylated interferon and ribavirin, medications used to treat hepatitis C, are less effective in people with HIV than in their HCV-monoinfected counterparts. In 2011, the first two anti-HCV protease inhibitors were approved based on trials in people with hepatitis C monoinfection. Despite outrage from activists, Merck refused to study drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between its drug boceprevir (Victrelis) and drugs commonly used to treat HIV, putting coinfected study volunteers at risk for drug-drug interactions in their own clinical trial.New HCV Protease Inhibitor Fact Sheets in English and SpanishIncivek and Victrelis fact sheets describe how each drug should be used, how likely treatment is to be successful, common side effects, drugs that cannot be used with each HCV protease inhibitor, and information about co-pay assistance and patient assistance programs.Does Obama’s 2013 Budget Herald the End of PEPFAR?Devastating Funding Proposal Undermines the Global Fight Against AIDSA sense of disbelief washed over the global AIDS community last month when President Obama unveiled his fiscal year 2013 budget proposal to cut $563 million from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program. Cuts of this magnitude could lead to half a million people being denied lifesaving treatment, and countless preventable new infections. Shock and dismay have since given way to frustration; some feel the administration is signaling that an era of U.S. leadership in the global fight against AIDS may be coming to an end.Childhood TB Advocacy Picks Up SteamThe neglected crisis of childhood tuberculosis (TB) is finally garnering some long-overdue attention. TAG hosted Forgotten But Not Gone: Childhood TB, a federal advocacy dialogue and strategy session in Washington, D.C. this January. We brought together over 50 researchers, clinicians, implementers, and global advocates from the TB, HIV, and maternal- and child-health communities to advance the discussion.Two New Publications for World TB DayTAG and the Sentinel Project on Pediatric Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis launched a special publication on pediatric drug-resistant TB to build further momentum in the fight against childhood TB. Being Brave: Stories of Children with Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis documents the challenges children with drug-resistant TB face. Focusing on 15 children in seven countries, some stories show that without prompt diagnosis and treatment, children die from drug-resistant TB. Others demonstrate that, with access to quality medical services, pediatric drug-resistant TB is curable. Yet even in successful cases, diagnosing and treating the disease is lengthy, difficult and painful for children and their families. This collection of stories is a testament to the need to improve both research and access to quality vaccines, diagnostics and drugs to fight TB in children.2011 Report on Tuberculosis Research Funding Trends, 2005–2010, 2nd EditionThe need for accelerated research to fight TB is clear. Yet new data released by TAG and the Stop TB Partnership showed the global investments in TB research and development (R & D) at just $630.4 million—less than one-third of the $2 billion annual target required to eliminate TB by 2050—and the smallest year-to year increase (2%) since 2005. With fewer than 5% of people with drug-resistant TB receiving treatment, and a point-of-care test for TB only a distant hope, TB R & D funding needs a dramatic ramp-up.Read this issue of TAGline onlineSupporting TAG is a wise investment in AIDS treatment advocacy. With a small but well-organized and highly respected staff of professionals, every donation to TAG brings us one step closer toward better treatments, a vaccine, and a cure for AIDS .Make a tax deductible gift today at www.treatmentactiongroup.org/donateFollow us on Facebook Treatment Action Group is an independent AIDS research and policy think tank fighting for better treatment, a vaccine, and a cure for AIDS. TAG works to ensure that all people with HIV receive lifesaving treatment, care, and information. We are science-based treatment activists working to expand and accelerate vital research and effective community engagement with research and policy institutions. TAG catalyzes open collective action by all affected communities, scientists, and policy makers to end AIDS .Visit us at www.treatmentactiongroup.orgClick to view this email in a browserIf you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or simply click on the following link: UnsubscribeClick here to forward this email to a friendTreatment Action Group261 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2110New York, New York 10016USRead the VerticalResponse marketing policy.