Episode 17 - CROI 2024 Insights: Progress and Challenges in HIV Antiretroviral Therapy with Dr Barbara Taylor Recorded May 2, 2024

This episode of Going anti-Viral with Dr Michael Saag hosts Dr Barbara Taylor. They discussed topics covered at CROI 2024, including the 95-95-95 goal, long-acting antiretroviral therapies, mental health challenges in HIV care, and the potential for long-acting treatments in other viral diseases like hepatitis C.

00:00 Introduction and Remembering Dr Scott M. Hammer

00:27 CROI 2024 Highlights

02:55 Exploring the 95-95-95 Goal and Challenges in HIV Epidemic Control

09:01 Innovations in Long-Acting Antiretroviral Therapies

14:11 Advancements in Hepatitis C and B Therapies

16:51 COVID-19 Treatments and Resistance Concerns

19:26 Addressing Mental Health in HIV Care

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

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Episode 16 - Insights on HIV Cure by Stem Cell Transplant with Dr Ravindra Gupta Recorded Live at CROI 2024 on March 3, 2024

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag hosts Dr Ravindra Gupta. Dr Gupta is the infectious diseases expert who led the team that treated Adam Castillejo, also known as ‘The London Patient,' the second person known to have been cured of HIV. The discussion, recorded on March 3, 2024, at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), focused on the intricate process of finding a suitable stem cell donor, the immunologic and virologic considerations around the transplant process, and the collaborative medical team effort involved.

00:00 Introduction

00:30 The London Patient

03:05 Finding the CCR5∆32 Stem Cell Match

04:21 Clinical Challenges on the Transplant Journey

06:58 Post-Transplant Monitoring and Milestones

15:53 Reflecting on the Journey

18:51 Closing Thoughts and Acknowledgments

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

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In this episode of Going anti-Viral, host Dr Michael Saag interviews Adam Castillejo, known as the London patient, who is the second person to have been cured of HIV infection. The discussion, recorded on March 3, 2024, at The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), touches on Adam's initial HIV diagnosis in London during the early 2000s, the societal stigma and personal impact of the diagnosis, and his dual battle with HIV and cancer. Adam shares the complex journey of his treatment, including the failure of initial interventions and the ultimate success of a bone marrow transplant from a donor with a CCR5 delta 32 mutation, leading to his cure of HIV and cancer. The conversation delves into the technical aspects of bone marrow transplant, the emotional and physical challenges Adam faced during recovery, and the continued stigma he experiences even post-cure. The episode reflects on the broader implications of Adam's story for HIV research and societal perceptions of the disease.

00:00 Introduction

01:10 Adam's Early Struggle with HIV Diagnosis

02:46 Confronting Stigma and Finding Support

05:26 The Battle Against Cancer and Mental Health Challenges

08:35 The Turning Point: Bone Marrow Transplant

15:14 The Journey of Recovery

17:29 Life After the Cure

22:37 Concluding Thoughts

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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Episode 14 - HIV Treatment with Long-Acting Injectables with Dr Aadia Rana Recorded Live at CROI 2024 on March 4, 2024

In this episode, Dr Michael Saag and Dr Adia Rana discuss a breakthrough study on using a long-acting injectable HIV treatment with conditional economic incentives for individuals who were unable to take oral therapy. Presented at CROI 2024, the study's positive outcomes offer an effective option for certain individuals with no other options for continuing oral antiretroviral therapy.


For further reading, please visit the link below.

Updated Treatment Recommendation on Use of Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine for People With HIV From the IAS-USA Guidelines Panel

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:50 Exploring Adherence Challenges and Study Insights

03:27 The Evolution of HIV Treatment: From Oral to Injectable Therapies

10:59 Study Results: A New Alternative for Select Individuals with Limited Treatment Options

16:05 Navigating Real-World Applications and Ethical Considerations

21:08 Reflecting on the Journey and Looking Ahead

25:21 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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Episode 13 - Advancements in STI Prevention: Insights from Dr Jean-Michel Molina Recorded Live at CROI 2024 on March 3, 2024

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag and Dr Jean-Michel Molina discuss recent developments in STI prevention, focusing on doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) and the evaluation of a meningococcal vaccine for gonorrhea prevention in the ANRS Doxyvac trial. Recorded at CROI 2024, Dr Molina shares insights from clinical trials, including challenges with data analysis and implications for future STI prevention and vaccine research.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:30 Innovative Approaches in Clinical Care with Dr Jean-Michel Molina

00:54 Exploring the Impact of Doxycycline and Vaccines on STIs

01:50 Challenges and Insights from Clinical Trials

04:29 The Journey from Interim Analysis to Final Results

09:27 Addressing Data Discrepancies

21:05 Future Directions in STI Prevention and Vaccine Research

26:46 Closing Thoughts and the Importance of Trustworthy Research

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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Episode 12 - New Study on Treatments for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in People With HIV With Dr Jordan Lake Recorded Live from CROI 2024

In this episode, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Jordan Lake live from the 2024 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). They discuss the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among people with HIV and explore the effectiveness of the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide, commonly used to treat diabetes and aid in weight loss, to treat NAFLD. Future areas of research are considered, including maintenance strategies post-weight loss and a placebo-controlled version of the study.

00:02 Introduction and Welcome

00:44 Discussion on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in People With HIV

01:56 Role of HIV in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

02:43 Understanding the Inflammation and Fat Accumulation in the Liver

04:38 Exploring the Impact of Nucleoside Therapy on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

06:37 Potential Treatments for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

07:35 The Role of Semaglutide in Treating Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

13:36 The Importance of Routine Assessment for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

15:37 Exploring New Drugs for Treating Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

18:49 The Challenges and Future Directions in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Research

22:25 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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Episode 11 - Innovations in Vaccine Research: Single Cell Immunity Development With Dr Fabian Otte Recorded Live from CROI 2024

In this podcast episode, Dr Michael Saag converses with Dr Fabian Otte, a molecular biologist at the University of Basel in Switzerland, live from the 2024 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). Dr Otte shares insights into the ongoing development of an innovative SARS-CoV-2 vaccine that employs a single-cell immunity development approach. Highlighting its potential benefits, such as broader and longer-lasting immunity compared with mRNA vaccines. This pioneering vaccine research might also extend to other RNA viruses in the future.

00:02 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:28 Discussion on the Development of Next-Generation SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines

00:50 Exploring a Single-Cell Immunity Approach

01:10 Understanding the Vaccine Development Process

02:42 The Potential of the New Vaccine

03:13 Challenges and Advantages of the New Vaccine

05:07 The Impact of the Vaccine on Immune Response

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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Episode 10 - Harnessing the Power of Bacteriophages With Dr Robert Schooley

In this podcast episode, host Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Robert “Chip” Schooley, a distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health at the University of California San Diego. They discuss the revolutionary potential of bacteriophages, viruses that can infect and kill bacteria. They detail the research efforts and case studies involved in understanding the potential deployment of bacteriophages as a medical treatment. The discussion also highlights the necessity for clinical trials and future research involving genetically engineered phages.

00:02 Introduction and Guest Profile

01:51 The Growing Problem of Antimicrobial Resistance

02:55 Understanding Bacteriophages

04:21 The History and Use of Bacteriophages in Labs

05:45 The Role of Bacteriophages in Molecular Biology

11:43 The Journey of Treating a Patient with Bacteriophages

19:19 The Future of Bacteriophage Therapy

31:05 Closing Remarks and Podcast Outro

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
Apple Podcasts
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...