Latest news with #AIDS
Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Could a single shot at birth shield kids from HIV for years?
There's potentially exciting news from a trial conducted in monkeys: A single shot of gene therapy given to newborn monkeys appears to shield them from HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, for at least three years. Of course, studies conducted in animals don't always pan out in humans. But scientists say that if it does, it could save the lives of babies and children still imperiled by HIV. The study authors estimate that more than 100,000 children worldwide (largely in subSaharan Africa) are believed to contract HIV soon after birth, primarily via breastfeeding with an HIV+ mother. "Nearly 300 children are infected with HIV each day," said lead author Dr. Amir Ardeshir, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the Tulane National Primate Research Center in New Orleans. "This approach could help protect newborns in high-risk areas during the most vulnerable period of their lives." His team published its findings July 30 in Nature. It noted that the new work hinges on the notion that in the first few weeks of a primate's life -- humans are primates, too -- the body's immune system is naturally more tolerant of "invaders," including gene therapies. The research focused on a tried-and-true form of HIV-fighting gene therapy. It works by programming cells to continuously produce HIV-fighting antibodies. The gene therapy was piggybacked onto a harmless adeno-associated virus (AAV) to help deliver it to the muscle cells of newborn rhesus macaques. Muscle cells were chosen because they are particularly long-lived, Ardeshir's team explained. The gene therapy instructs these cells to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies, or bNAbs, which are capable of neutralizing multiple strains of HIV. It's not the first time bNAbs have been used in gene therapy to fight HIV. However, in prior trials repeat injections were required to keep the immune system vigilant. In the new trial, "we turn these muscle cells -- which are long-lived -- into micro factories that just keep producing these antibodies," Ardeshir explained. When such an approach is used in older monkeys, however, the animals' robust immune systems turn against the therapy, shutting it down. That didn't happen when Ardeshir's team introduced it during a macaque's first few weeks of life. All of the monkeys who got a single shot of bNAbs therapy soon after birth were shielded from infection with HIV for at least three years, with no need for a booster. Tulane researchers said that's roughly the equivalent of a treatment that could ward off HIV in humans deep into adolescence. If the gene therapy was delivered even a bit later -- 8 to 12 weeks after birth -- the young monkey's more developed immune system swung into action to fight it, eroding its effectiveness. Giving the shot soon after birth seemed key, Ardeshir said. "This is a one-and-done treatment that fits the critical time when these mothers with HIV in resource-limited areas are most likely to see a doctor," he noted in a Tulane news release. "As long as the treatment is delivered close to birth, the baby's immune system will accept it and believe it's part of itself." Will it work in human babies? That's not entirely clear, since it's possible infants might be less amenable than monkeys to therapies that are delivered via AAV, the team said. The monkey trial also used only one strain of simian-human immunodeficiency virus, which is similar in some ways to HIV but may not reflect the variety of circulating strains of HIV strains. Still, the research team is hopeful. Giving families a one-shot preventive tool to protect their children would be especially useful in areas where access to repeat medical treatments can be tough, the researchers said. "Nothing like this was possible to achieve even 10 years ago," Ardeshir said. "This was a huge result, and now we have all the ingredients to take on HIV." More information Find out more about HIV and AIDS at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). SOURCE: Tulane University, news release, July 30, 2025 Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
UPI
6 hours ago
- Health
- UPI
Could a single shot at birth shield kids from HIV for years?
There's potentially exciting news from a trial conducted in monkeys: A single shot of gene therapy given to newborn monkeys appears to shield them from HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, for at least three years. Of course, studies conducted in animals don't always pan out in humans. But scientists say that if it does, it could save the lives of babies and children still imperiled by HIV. The study authors estimate that more than 100,000 children worldwide (largely in subSaharan Africa) are believed to contract HIV soon after birth, primarily via breastfeeding with an HIV+ mother. "Nearly 300 children are infected with HIV each day," said lead author Dr. Amir Ardeshir, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the Tulane National Primate Research Center in New Orleans. "This approach could help protect newborns in high-risk areas during the most vulnerable period of their lives." His team published its findings July 30 in Nature. It noted that the new work hinges on the notion that in the first few weeks of a primate's life -- humans are primates, too -- the body's immune system is naturally more tolerant of "invaders," including gene therapies. The research focused on a tried-and-true form of HIV-fighting gene therapy. It works by programming cells to continuously produce HIV-fighting antibodies. The gene therapy was piggybacked onto a harmless adeno-associated virus (AAV) to help deliver it to the muscle cells of newborn rhesus macaques. Muscle cells were chosen because they are particularly long-lived, Ardeshir's team explained. The gene therapy instructs these cells to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies, or bNAbs, which are capable of neutralizing multiple strains of HIV. It's not the first time bNAbs have been used in gene therapy to fight HIV. However, in prior trials repeat injections were required to keep the immune system vigilant. In the new trial, "we turn these muscle cells -- which are long-lived -- into micro factories that just keep producing these antibodies," Ardeshir explained. When such an approach is used in older monkeys, however, the animals' robust immune systems turn against the therapy, shutting it down. That didn't happen when Ardeshir's team introduced it during a macaque's first few weeks of life. All of the monkeys who got a single shot of bNAbs therapy soon after birth were shielded from infection with HIV for at least three years, with no need for a booster. Tulane researchers said that's roughly the equivalent of a treatment that could ward off HIV in humans deep into adolescence. If the gene therapy was delivered even a bit later -- 8 to 12 weeks after birth -- the young monkey's more developed immune system swung into action to fight it, eroding its effectiveness. Giving the shot soon after birth seemed key, Ardeshir said. "This is a one-and-done treatment that fits the critical time when these mothers with HIV in resource-limited areas are most likely to see a doctor," he noted in a Tulane news release. "As long as the treatment is delivered close to birth, the baby's immune system will accept it and believe it's part of itself." Will it work in human babies? That's not entirely clear, since it's possible infants might be less amenable than monkeys to therapies that are delivered via AAV, the team said. The monkey trial also used only one strain of simian-human immunodeficiency virus, which is similar in some ways to HIV but may not reflect the variety of circulating strains of HIV strains. Still, the research team is hopeful. Giving families a one-shot preventive tool to protect their children would be especially useful in areas where access to repeat medical treatments can be tough, the researchers said. "Nothing like this was possible to achieve even 10 years ago," Ardeshir said. "This was a huge result, and now we have all the ingredients to take on HIV." More information Find out more about HIV and AIDS at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). SOURCE: Tulane University, news release, July 30, 2025 Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Forbes
13 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
Two Shots A Year: How A New HIV Drug Is Tackling Stigma And Saving Lives
Today's HIV/AIDS transmission rate makes one thing painfully clear: the virus is no longer affecting just the LGBTQIA communities. In fact, if you're Black, straight, and living in America, the silence around HIV prevention might be putting you at greater risk than ever before. This quiet truth is what made the presence of Gilead Sciences – a biopharmaceutical company primarily known for its work in developing and delivering innovative therapies for diseases like HIV/AIDS– at this year's National Medical Association (NMA) Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly so crucial. With the launch of Yeztugo, Gilead's new injectable PrEP for adults and adolescents, the HIV prevention landscape is shifting. Offering six months of protection with just two injections per year, Yeztugo stands in stark contrast to existing PrEP regimens, which require a daily pill and quarterly visits for refills and lab monitoring. Dr. Debra Wafer, the public affairs, community engagement, and advocacy lead for Gilead's HIV treatment and prevention division, said the leap in convenience opens the door for Gilead to partner with healthcare providers, cultural influencers, and media to help rewrite the story around HIV/AIDS. 'The HIV epidemic at the beginning was defined by the white gay community and because of that definition, other communities didn't know that they were at risk,' said Wafer, a nurse practitioner and physician's assistant. 'Today we think of HIV as a transmittable virus that usually happens sexually,' Wafer continued. 'And I think we are trying to make sure that everyone knows that HIV, can be treated and people can live a long line, and also that HIV can be prevented, and we are not trying to be in one space, because whether you're LGBTQIA or not, if you're having sex and you don't know your HIV status, that is something that puts you at risk.' Speaking from a conference room deep in the heart of downtown Chicago, Gilead Sciences made it clear they aren't carrying this message alone. By choosing the NMA as their stage and partnering with Grammy Award-winning artist Raheem DeVaughn, Gilead and its allies are working to break the stigma around HIV/AIDS—and spotlight the healthcare providers and communities most at risk. Under the Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Government Efficiency have gutted federal investments in HIV/AIDS testing, treatment, and prevention. The consequences are staggering: Black women now account for more than 50% of new HIV diagnoses among women, yet make up only 8% of PrEP users. While broader health inequities continue to devastate Black communities—including persistent barriers to quality care—recent years have seen a 16% drop in new HIV infections among Black gay and bisexual men, while cisgender Black women have experienced a sharp increase. Dr. Toyin Nwafor, executive director of U.S. HIV Medical Affairs at Gilead Sciences, said that disparity should serve as a national call to action. 'We must end the stigma that exists around HIV,' said Nwafor, a Chicago-based medical practitioner of more than two decades. 'If you are sexually active you're vulnerable to HIV and your vulnerability may be higher because of where you live, walk, pray, live and love, and in those communities, we need to make sure that that message is heard,' Nwafor continued in expressing what she described as Gilead's overall goal. 'So we're not stigmatizing or targeting individuals,' she said. 'but we're looking at what is happening in the communities that they live to make sure that they have access to treatment, to prevention and to programs that allow them to stay engaged in care.' For many in Black and Brown communities, improving access to care starts with expanding the knowledge base of healthcare providers—especially those who look like them. That's what makes NMA an ideal partner. As the leading voice of African-American physicians nationwide, the organization and its new president, Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr., are launching a year-long campaign titled The New Reconstruction. As part of the campaign, Dr. Mitchell and the NMA are calling for structural reforms that go beyond the exam room—because healthcare justice also means policy justice. This campaign's launch is happening amid Medicaid cuts that would gut the very infrastructure supporting HIV prevention and treatment. With nearly 40% of HIV-positive people dependent on Medicaid, slashing the program would disproportionately harm Black and Brown communities, undermining NMA's progress and that of other campaigns. 'Convening like this, brought together by Gilead Sciences, confirmed the importance of the intersection between media, medical industry and cultural influencers that joined in this partnership to end the HIV epidemic today,' Mitchell said. For DeVaughn—Grammy-nominated singer, chart-topping artist, father and PrEP user —talking about HIV and PrEP isn't just advocacy, it's literally part of the show. At his concerts, DeVaughn carves out time to speak directly to the audience about prevention, because he believes awareness is a form of care—and far too many in his fanbase are left in the dark. 'I've had direct contact with over 40,000 Black women,' DeVaughn said. 'Being able to talk about the statistics around HIV, how Black women—and Black and Brown folks in general—are disproportionately affected, and how prevention, PrEP, and breaking stigma can make a difference, is powerful. People need to know their options.' In DeVaughn's hometown of Washington, D.C., once one of the epicenters of the HIV epidemic in the '90s and early 2000s, the story is layered. HIV transmission rates among white gay men have dropped significantly, thanks to widespread PrEP use, access to care, and strong local prevention programs. Overall, the District has seen an 86% decrease in new diagnoses since the early 2000s, including in Black and Brown communities. But those declines still lag far behind the rates seen among white gay men—a reflection of the stigma and systemic neglect that persist in communities of color. DeVaughn said this neglect can be addressed by normalizing conversations at home, in providers' offices and in the community at-large. 'Regardless of your religious faith, your background,...your age, these are conversations that we have to have.' DeVaughn said. 'Generationally, we talk about dieting, Diabetes and sugar levels and I think we have to normalize the conversation about HIV.' Far too many Black and Brown Americans miss the opportunity to talk about PrEP and HIV prevention when they get their annual physical. Wafer said that has to change. 'It is important for healthcare providers to know who they are talking to, what they need and have a unique ability to translate the science in an understandable way,' she said. Nwafor, whose professional experience includes academic research and stints in inpatient and outpatient settings, a large public hospital, a university hospital, and a veterans hospital, expressed similar thoughts while stressing the importance of health care providers centering their patients' lived-experiences. For Black and Brown Americans, those experiences could have included moments of trauma and far too often, neglect, Nwafor said. 'What was clear over those past 20 to 25 years is that regardless of the patient population, regardless of the payer mix, there remained existing disparities in access to good quality care and the outcomes that disproportionately impact our communities, the Black community,' Nwafor said. With Yeztugo now available in pharmacies across the country, this twice-yearly injection offers something many people have long needed: privacy, convenience, and a way to sidestep the daily pill stigma. It could be a game-changer—especially for sexually active women and men navigating relationships where trust is policed and sexual orientation is often misread. What's clear is this: PrEP—regardless of how you take it—says nothing about your orientation. It says everything about your self-preservation. In a world where social media has normalized lip fillers, Botox, and testosterone shots, surely we can normalize two injections a year to protect against HIV. This moment demands a reset. The virus has moved on from the narratives we built in the '80s and '90s—but our prevention playbook hasn't. If Yeztugo lives up to its promise, it could finally help those most at risk feel seen, protected, and prioritized—not just pathologized.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Are Wall Street Analysts Bullish on Gilead Sciences Stock?
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD), headquartered in Foster City, California, is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines in the areas of unmet medical need. Valued at $142.8 billion by market cap, the company's primary areas of focus include HIV, AIDS, liver disease, and serious cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Shares of this HIV giant have outperformed the broader market over the past year. GILD has gained 47% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied nearly 17%. In 2025, GILD stock is up 24.2%, surpassing the SPX's 8.2% rise on a YTD basis. More News from Barchart Morgan Stanley Says Nvidia Has 'Exceptional' Strength. Should You Buy NVDA Stock Here? Dear MicroStrategy Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for July 31 2 Growth Stocks Wall Street Predicts Will Soar 74% to 159% Markets move fast. Keep up by reading our FREE midday Barchart Brief newsletter for exclusive charts, analysis, and headlines. Zooming in further, GILD's outperformance is also apparent compared to the Invesco Pharmaceuticals ETF (PJP). The exchange-traded fund has declined about 4.4% over the past year. Moreover, GILD's double-digit gains on a YTD basis outshine the ETF's marginal dip over the same time frame. On Apr. 24, GILD shares closed down marginally after reporting its Q1 results. Its adjusted EPS of $1.81 missed Wall Street's expectations of $1.82. The company's revenue was $6.7 billion, falling short of Wall Street forecasts of $6.8 billion. GILD expects full-year adjusted EPS in the range of $7.70 to $8.10. For the current fiscal year, ending in December, analysts expect GILD's EPS to grow 73.6% to $8.02 on a diluted basis. The company's earnings surprise history is mixed. It beat the consensus estimates in three of the last four quarters while missing the forecast on another occasion. Among the 28 analysts covering GILD stock, the consensus is a 'Moderate Buy.' That's based on 18 'Strong Buy' ratings, two 'Moderate Buys,' and eight 'Holds.' This configuration is more bullish than a month ago, with one analyst suggesting a 'Moderate Buy.' On Jul. 28, BMO Capital analyst Evan Seigerman maintained a 'Buy' rating on GILD with a price target of $120, implying a potential upside of 4.6% from current levels. The mean price target of $119.15 represents a 3.8% premium to GILD's current price levels. The Street-high price target of $140 suggests an upside potential of 22%. On the date of publication, Neha Panjwani did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on
Winnipeg Free Press
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance highlights the frontlines of the struggle
It's a cruel paradox when a film showcasing the fight for LGBTTQ+ rights in Canada over the last 50 years is released at a time when those hard-fought gains are once again under attack. Whether it's Alberta's recent legislative changes restricting access to health care, education and sports for transgender and gender diverse people, or the rise in police-reported hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation, LGBTTQ+ rights can no longer be taken for granted in Canada. It's in this political context that Winnipeg filmmaker Noam Gonick debuts his latest documentary Parade: Queer Acts of Love & Resistance, which highlights the pivotal moments that shaped Canada's LGBTTQ+ movement. Black-and-white photos and rarely seen archival footage — including Super 8 reels newly digitized after 50 years in storage — animate the stories shared by dozens of activists and community leaders. In one particularly unsettling sequence, graphic imagery of police brutality against queer protesters from two different eras are juxtaposed, one in colour, the other in black and white, underscoring the ongoing struggles through the decades. Some events may already be familiar to some viewers. The gay liberation movement of the 1970s or the devastation of the AIDS crisis in the '80s have been widely covered in pop culture, but are often filtered through an American lens. In Parade, Gonick shifts the focus to the uniquely Canadian experience of queer resistance and resilience. The film is at its strongest when highlighting lesser known histories, such as that of Jeanine Maes, one of the last women institutionalized for lesbianism in 1962 or the police raids and censorship trial against The Body Politic, one of Canada's first gay publications. Broken into thematic chapters like a docu-series, the film moves through stories told from gay, lesbian, trans, drag, Indigenous, Asian and Black communities. At times, this structure can feel a bit disjointed, but reflects a familiar challenge in queer storytelling: how to represent a community that is not singular. Shared struggle and defiant joy are the unifying threads across these stories, though, at times, hearing similar themes from many voices makes the film feel somewhat repetitive and fewer voices might have allowed some of them more room to breathe. Monthly What you need to know now about gardening in Winnipeg. An email with advice, ideas and tips to keep your outdoor and indoor plants growing. Still, in today's climate, Gonick's film feels more urgent than ever. It's a 96-minute history lesson on the hard fought rights of Canada's queer communities, from police raids to early drag shows, and community organizing to the House of Commons. Justine Pimlott, the film's Toronto-based, Winnipeg-raised producer, hopes the documentary serves as a reminder of where the community has come from, and a call to action. Audiences already seem to be taking inspiration from the film, which screened at the Gimli International Film Festival this past weekend and took home the awards for best Manitoba director and best Manitoba film. It also previously received the audience award for best documentary feature at the Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival in Toronto. If you've ever wondered why police attendance at pride is so contentious – or why Pride itself remains a necessary act of resistance and joy — Parade offers the answers. fparts@
