Dive into the AMP Trials

Results from the AMP Trials, studying a broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) known as VRC01, were complex, with still unfolding implications for the field.

The AMP Trials, two Phase IIb studies, tested the safety and efficacy of an infusion of VRC01 received every eight weeks. HVTN 703/HPTN 081 enrolled 1,900 women in sub-Saharan Africa, and HVTN 704/HPTN 085 enrolled 2,700 men who have sex with men and transgender people in North and South America and in Europe.

The overall efficacy demonstrated in the trials was not protective. But when VRC01 was fighting strains of HIV that were highly sensitive to it, the antibody did provide partial protection. So what does that mean for the field, and what other questions have been raised by these pioneering trials?

In this episode of Px Pulse, AVACers Jeanne Baron and Daisy Ouya talk to leading bNAb researcher, IAVI’s Devin Sok; a veteran HIV research advocate Mark Hubbard who served on AMP’s protocol team; and a senior member of the HVTN’s community engagement team, a chief explainer of the AMP trails, Gail Broder. Together we explore why these findings point to the need for combination antibodies, the need for a better understanding of the types of HIV that are circulating in a community, the complicated implications of a key lab test, the TZM-bl assay and more.

Hosted and produced by Jeanne Baron.

Highlights

Resources

Breaking the Bottlenecks to COVID-19 Vaccine Access

This graphic identifies the factors contributing to the bottlenecks in the global supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

Updated Recommendations on HIV Prevention, Infant Diagnosis, Antiretroviral Initiation And Monitoring

A 2021 update to the WHO recommendations on HIV clinical and service delivery of prevention and treatment.

COVID Vax Tracker

The COVID Vax Tracker provides updates on COVID-19 vaccine trials worldwide. The downloadable tracker provides data on trial location, recruitment status, participant totals, inclusion criteria and more.

COVID-19 Vaccine Cheat Sheet: Access Edition

This two-pager profiles authorized vaccines with an emphasis on the “3 C’s” that have a significant impact on equitable access: cost, cold chain and manufacturing capacity.

The Evolution of Oral PrEP Access

A presentation on global trends in PrEP uptake since 2016, prepared for R4P. See breakdowns by country and analysis of lessons learned and continued use.

Internal Condoms: A Tool To Advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for All

Internal condoms, previously called female condoms, are an important tool to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all. Internal condoms are currently the only non-hormonal multipurpose prevention method designed for and initiated by women and receptive sexual partners that provides effective protection against unintended pregnancy and STI acquisition, including HIV. This resource shares new data on the efficacy and importance of internal condoms, and includes critical new USAID condom procurement data that indicate the need for increased internal condom procurement by United States global health agencies and programs.

How Can We End the Tuberculosis Epidemic? Lessons from Around the World

Anyone can get TB. In 2019, an estimated 10 million people contracted TB and more than 1.4 million died. Despite the numbers, we know we can end the TB epidemic. It is a matter of scaling up effective programs, dedicating sufficient resources and mobilizing the political will. This report highlights six locations where communities made impressive progress to significantly reduce TB cases and deaths – from California in the United States to Tomsk, Russia and Karachi, Pakistan.

CAB-LA is a Highly Effective HIV Prevention Option; Now what?

Long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) is a promising new option for HIV prevention. In 2020, early results from two trials—HPTN 083 and HPTN 084—showed CAB-LA was safe and highly effective at preventing HIV when compared to daily oral TDF/FTC (Truvada) in men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender (TG) women and cisgender women. Now what? What questions remain unanswered and what support is needed now to make the growing range of prevention options feasible choices for people who may want and need them?

AMP Study FAQ

From the two trial networks conducting the AMP Study, this document provides answers to commonly asked questions about the VRC01 antibody, details on the study design and more.