AUTHOR=Karim Quarraisha Abdool , Archary Derseree , Barré-Sinoussi Françoise , Broliden Kristina , Cabrera Cecilia , Chiodi Francesca , Fidler Sarah J. , Gengiah Tanuja N. , Herrera Carolina , Kharsany Ayesha B. M. , Liebenberg Lenine J. P. , Mahomed Sharana , Menu Elisabeth , Moog Christiane , Scarlatti Gabriella , Seddiki Nabila , Sivro Aida , Cavarelli Mariangela 

TITLE=Women for science and science for women: Gaps, challenges and opportunities towards optimizing pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV-1 prevention

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1055042

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2022.1055042

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Preventing new HIV infections remains a global challenge. Young women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of infection. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), offers a novel women-initiated prevention technology and PrEP trials completed to date underscore the importance of their inclusion early in trials evaluating new HIV PrEP technologies. Data from completed topical and systemic PrEP trials highlight the role of gender specific physiological and social factors that impact PrEP uptake, adherence and efficacy. Here we review the past and current developments of HIV-1 prevention options for women with special focus on PrEP considering the diverse factors that can impact PrEP efficacy. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of inclusion of female scientists, clinicians, and community advocates in scientific efforts to further improve HIV prevention strategies.</p>