About this Research Topic
In the realm of global health, the quest for an HIV cure is primarily driven by the limitations of long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART), which poses significant challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This urgency underscores the importance of promoting HIV cure research within Sub-Saharan Africa, not only for scientific progress but also to address ethical concerns. Ensuring that advancements reach the regions most burdened by the disease ensures equitable treatment and access to potential breakthroughs in cure strategies.
This research topic seeks to bridge the wide disparity in HIV-1 research efforts between high-income countries and Africa, which suffers 70% of global HIV-1 infections. Current research, often concentrated on populations less relevant to Africa’s epidemiological profile, fails to adequately represent the genetic diversity and host immune system variations seen in African populations. This misalignment necessitates localized studies to develop effective HIV cure interventions tailored to the unique challenges present within these diverse genetic and immunological landscapes.
To garner the interest of authors and highlight the necessity for increased HIV cure research in Africa, this Research Topic invites submissions covering a wide range of research, including but not limited to:
• Fundamental discoveries in basic immunology and virology research to translational investigations such as experimental medicine studies
• Basic science/pathogenesis, animal models, structured analytical treatment interruption studies (ATI), genetics and epigenetics.
• The complexities of advancing HIV cure research in the context of other prevention interventions, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and long-acting injectables, social acceptance and perceptions of cure interventions
This research topic seeks to bridge the wide disparity in HIV-1 research efforts between high-income countries and Africa, which suffers 70% of global HIV-1 infections. Current research, often concentrated on populations less relevant to Africa’s epidemiological profile, fails to adequately represent the genetic diversity and host immune system variations seen in African populations. This misalignment necessitates localized studies to develop effective HIV cure interventions tailored to the unique challenges present within these diverse genetic and immunological landscapes.
To garner the interest of authors and highlight the necessity for increased HIV cure research in Africa, this Research Topic invites submissions covering a wide range of research, including but not limited to:
• Fundamental discoveries in basic immunology and virology research to translational investigations such as experimental medicine studies
• Basic science/pathogenesis, animal models, structured analytical treatment interruption studies (ATI), genetics and epigenetics.
• The complexities of advancing HIV cure research in the context of other prevention interventions, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and long-acting injectables, social acceptance and perceptions of cure interventions
Keywords: HIV, HIV cure research, Africa, ART, ATI, prevention interventions
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
