HIV: Cure & comorbidity
Comoorbidity, Cure, Hiv
Research aim
Optimizing the management of HIV-related comorbidities and developing cure strategies
About us
The introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has led to a paradigm shift from the management of opportunistic infections towards healthy ageing and, ultimately, cure for people with HIV (PWH). Current research focuses on the relationship of HIV infection and comorbidities, exploring underlying mechanisms and optimal management. However, the ultimate goal in HIV care is to achieve a functional or sterilizing cure, available for all PWH.
Our study group focuses on the optimalisation of HIV-related comorbidity management, with a special focus of cardiovascular disease, and the clinical aspects of HIV cure. In order to maximize scientific impact, we partner with several leading (inter)national partners.
Current research projects include epidemiological projects in our own cohort* and together with the HIV monitoring foundation (SHM). In addition, we collaborate with scientists from the UMCU Circulatory Health Research program, and translation virology research on HIV reservoir and (ultra) low level viremia, resulting in publications in high-impact medical journals. Finally, we participate in several (inter)national studies focusing on HIV cure such as the SPIRAL initiative**, intervention studies with latency reversing agents (ORBIT study***) and treatment studies with new antiretrovirals.
We have the ambition to continue working on these subjects and to partner with other researchers in order to optimize the management of HIV-related comorbidities and contribute to the development of cure strategies.
* Supported by ViiV Healthcare
* * https://www.infectionandimmunity.nl/projects/details/spiral-project