Project PrEPare and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago sponsored a community discussion about the potential risks/benefits of HIV medications as prevention. The forum follows the recent publication of the Pre-exposuire Prophylaxis (PrEP) Initiativereferred to as iPrexa worldwide study that tested the efficacy of an HIV-prevention drug called Truvavda.
Jim Pickett, director of advocacy for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Keith Green, director for Project PrEPare, a Chicago-based version of the greater iPrex study, moderated the forum, held Dec. 15 at Center on Halsted.
Dr. Rob Garafolo of Howard Brown Health Center pointed out that this was the first study that showed that an HIV medication as prevention could work. "Now there are a lot of questions with answers unknown," he explained, "in terms of how often the drug may be taken, for example."
Dr. Sybil Hosek, a principal investigator for Project PrEPare, presented data recently published from the iPrex Initiative stating that "this is a very exciting time in HIV prevention." The study found that participants not taking the drug were 44 percent more likely to become infected with HIV, proving that taking a drug can work in preventing HIV infection.
"The folks at iPrex recognize that there is still a lot that needs to be understood," said Hosek, who reminded the audience that this was the first study of its kind. iPrex recently started an open-label extension on the study. The 18-month extension allows participants who were on a placebo during the study to take the drug.
Hosek stated that "more work needs to be done, particularly with youth," pointing out that youth were at the epicenter of the HIV epidemic in the States. A third of new infections occur before the age of 30 within the U.S., with the highest-risk categories being Black and latino men who have sex with men. Project PrEPare's study was not so much focused on testing the efficacy of Truvada, but to enroll high-risk men and explore the the acceptability and feasibility of a PrEP trial among a young MSM demographic. Sixty-eight participants were initially enrolled in the program with only twenty remaining upon writing; the results echoed that of the greater study published by iPrex.
The audience had an opportunity to ask questions to the panelists, who also included Dr. Lisa Henry-Reid and Dr. Margo Bell, both with Project PreEPare. Many seemed concerned with how long the drug had to be taken and whether or not the risks outweighed the benefits. Pickett pointed out that Truvada is not meant to be taken throughout someone's entire life, but during specific times, such as periods of sexual activity. He also recognized that the detractors of being on the medication were much lower than the benefits.
"Even with all of this great data," said Hosek, "condoms are still more effective in preventing HIV infection."
More about Project PrEPare is at www.projectpreparechicago.com .