Latest News
- Lenacapavir has been approved as a first-in-class, twice-yearly treatment option for people living with multi-drug resistant HIV in the USA.
- Significant milestone for HIV prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa as South Africa grants regulatory approval for Apretude, ViiV Healthcare, 5 December 2022
- OPINION: New research and implementing lessons from COVID-19 are key to SA’s future TB intervention plans, Spotlight, 25 November 2022
- South Africa Approves Dapivirine Vaginal Ring for Use by Women, 11 March 2022
- Novavax and Serum Institute of India File for Emergency Use Authorization of Novavax' COVID-19 Vaccine in South Africa, 10 January 2022
- SAMRC PrEPVacc HIV Prevention Vaccine clinical trial in full swing, 1 December 2021
- African scientists should lead in developing an Aids jab for Africa, 29 November 2021
- HIV Vaccine Research Must Continue Following Disappointing Result from Imbokodo Trial - 31 August 2021
- Sisonke study successfully vaccinates more than 250 000 health workers before the third wave - Press Release, 31 March 2021
- PrEPVacc trial starts - 4 March 2021
Staff News
- HIDRU CLO, Mduduzi Ngubane with over ten years community engagement experience features in the HPTN newsletter. The enthusiasm of the community members and his colleagues keeps Mdu inspired and driven. https://www.hptn.org/about/conversations/mduduzi-ngubane
- This International Mandela Day 2022, SAMRC HIDRU Clinical Research Site teams were out and about visiting schools and a Centre caring for orphaned children spending quality time with learners and planted trees symbolizing growth and contributing to the earth. https://www.flickr.com/photos/wmtp/albums/72177720300713038
- The gentlemen surprised the women at the HIDRU Isipingo Clinical Research Site to a treat, celebrating their team work, support and recognizing the multiple roles women play in society and at their site. We applaud the men for their support.
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Dr Dishiki and colleagues celebrated women’s day at Ridge Road and the words below captures the event. “No one will dictate who I can be and if I must, re-invent the world is what I will do. I will be authentically me, myself and I. So who am I? I am all woman and proud. Thank you. God bless you. Happy Women’s Day”
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Collaboration
CER co-chair election results - Congratulations to our own Mduduzi Ngubane, Isipingo CRS, Durban, RSA |
It is our pleasure to announce the results of our recent elections. Our new leaders of the Global CERs are:
Below are their nomination statements. We are so grateful to all of the candidates from all regions who stepped forward for consideration!! It is truly a privilege to work with such talented individuals.
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HPRU symposium: HIV, TB and COVID-19, 15 February 2021 |
HPRU, SAMRC, in collaboration with scientists from CAPRISA, UCT, and Wits University, held a symposium on HIV, TB and COVID-19 vaccines. The four scientists highlighted lessons learned, strategies and next steps in vaccine development, current research results, and their views on what the future holds for these vaccines in public health and disease management. You can access the symposium recording (video) and presentations below:
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HPRU symposium: Ethically acceptable consent approaches to adolescent research in South Africa, 21 June 2021 |
HPRU, SAMRC, in collaboration with researchers from Wits University, University of KwaZulu Natal, Desmond Tutu HIV Centre - UCT, UNISA, and the University of Pretoria held a symposium on Ethically acceptable consent approaches to adolescent research in South Africa. The presentations included reviewing international trends regarding ethical consent for adolescents, reflecting on the ethical-legal concerns in advancing child health, and looking at current consent approaches in SA. The symposium concluded with several suggestions to address the challenges to obtaining consent for adolescent research in SA. You can access the symposium video and presentations below:
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HIDRU symposium: COVID-19, HIV and TB - viral evolution, disease progression and health services, 14 March 2022 |
HIDRU, SAMRC, in collaboration with scientists from CAPRISA, SAPRIN, and UKZN, hosted a symposium on the interactions between COVID-19, HIV and TB, and its effects on viral evolution, disease progression and health service delivery. The three guest speakers shared the latest research regarding the burden of this tri-infection, its clinical manifestations, vaccine effectiveness, and long term strategies in managing these diseases. Presentations
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Research Conducted
Antibody Mediated Prevention (AMP) trials data published by the New England Journal of Medicine - March 17, 2021 |
Most advanced clinical trials testing broadly neutralizing antibody against HIV demonstrate efficacy against sensitive strainsSEATTLE – MARCH 17, 2021 – The proof-of-concept AMP studies demonstrated that a broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) called VRC01 was effective at preventing the acquisition of HIV strains to the 30% of strains that were sensitive to the bnAb. This finding was seen both in Sub-Saharan Africa and the U.S. and South America. VRCO1 did not prevent the acquisition of HIV to strains that were resistant to the bNAb. As the resistant strains constituted nearly 70% of the circulating strains in these regions, there was no difference noted between the VRC01 arms and placebo arm in terms of overall prevention of HIV acquisition. The sensitivity to bNAbs was assessed by a laboratory test that measures a virus’ susceptibility to neutralization by an antibody. Articles available on the New England Journal of Medicine |
AMP Study Results - Access to material |
AMP Trial - Protocol-specific Bulletin #158
HPRU contributed 195 participants from the Bothas Hill (n=72) and Chatsworth (n=123) sites led by Dr Mammekwa Mokgoro and Dr Logashvari Naidoo (Principal Investigator) together with the site CRSLs and SCs. |
HPTN - Network Performance Awards Winners Announced |
Estimated Retention – Winner 2020Botha’s Hill CRS, Durban, South Africa
For the highest visit completion rate of 98.9% for HVTN 703/HPTN 081 (AMP)
HPTN 084 Site Awards for MRC sites - 2021Botha's Hill CRS, Durban - Isipingo CRS & Verulam CRS |
MTN-020/ASPIRE - SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF THE DAPIVIRINE VAGINAL RING
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HPRU participated in one of the first women-initiated methods for HIV prevention. The MTN-020/ASPIRE study evaluated the safety and efficacy of the dapivirine vaginal ring (VR) (25 mg) for the prevention of HIV-1 infection in healthy, sexually active, HIV-negative women. MTN 020/ASPIRE demonstrated that the monthly dapivirine vaginal ring is safe for long term use and can reduce the risk of HIV-1 infection in women when used. Protection was greater in subgroups with evidence of better adherence to ring use. In MTN 020/ASPIRE, the dapivirine ring reduced the risk of HIV infection by 27% overall, and showed a greater level of protection for women over 21 (56%). IPM 027/The Ring Study showed similar results.
This led to the product to be tested in an “open label” trial (MTN 025), which will assess its use by previous participants in more “real life” situations. We hope that the additional data obtained by the open label HOPE study will lead to licensure of the first women- initiated HIV prevention technology. We anticipate the results in the latter part of 2018. Should we be successful, the study will have implications on policy as well as public health J.M. Baeten et al. Use of a Vaginal Ring Containing Dapivirine for HIV-1 Prevention in Women. NEJM DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1506110 |
CONTRIBUTION TO NUMEROUS VACCINE CONCEPTS FOR HIV PREVENTION
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HPRU is contributing to the HVTN’s (HIV Vaccine Trials Network) mission “to fully characterize the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of HIV vaccine candidates with the goal of developing a safe, effective vaccine as rapidly as possible for prevention of HIV infections globally”; as well as HPTN’s (HIV Prevention Trials Network) mission “dedicated to the discovery and development of new and innovative research strategies to reduce the acquisition and transmission of HIV”. In this regard, the following studies have been undertaken: HVTN 100; HVTN 111; HVTN 702; HVTN 703/HPTN 081; HVTN 705. |
INNOVATIVE LONG-ACTING INJECTABLE FOR HIV PREVENTION (HVTN 084)
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A Phase 3 Double Blind Safety and Efficacy Study of Long-Acting Injectable Cabotegravir Compared to Daily Oral TDF/FTC for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in HIV-Uninfected Women |
BEHAVIOURAL RESEARCH
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Translating PrEP uptake by adolescents. Developing a Gender-Enhanced PrEP Information-Motivation Workshop for Young South African Women |
COMBINATION PREPVACC
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Innovative trial with combined prevention interventions. To start 2019. African scientists should lead in developing an Aids jab for Africa, 29 November 2021 |
HORMONAL CONTRACEPTION (HC) AND RISK OF HIV ACQUISITION
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Observational data suggested that hormonal contraception and in particular Depo-Provera increases the risk of HIV acquisition. We investigated the association between hormonal contraception and risk of HIV seroconversion and prevalence of other STIs. Data from 2236 participants recruited from microbicide trials were analysed to assess the association between HC and HIV. We show that in our setting HC was the most common contraception (46.47%). Use of HC was significantly associated with increased risk for HIV acquisition (HR 1.72: 95% CI 1.19-2.49, P<0.005). HC was also significantly associated with a higher prevalence of C. trachomatis (adjusted OR 2.46, 95%CI 1.52-3.97, P<0.001). HC are highly effective and well tolerated family planning methods. However, evidence suggests it may increase risk of HIV acquisition and it is recommended that women are counselled on importance of dual protection such as with male condoms in high HIV prevalence settings. This study was used as evidence for the WHO guiding document on HC and HIV prevention. Women should be encouraged to use other long acting contraception such as IUCD and contraceptive transdermal patches (such as Evra®). The NDOH has embarked on a drive to introduce these in Family Planning Clinics in South Africa. I developed the concept and co-wrote the manuscript.
Handan Wand and Gita Ramjee. The effects of injectable hormonal contraceptives on HIV seroconversion and on sexually transmitted infections. AIDS 2012. 26:375-380 |