POZ Magazine

Oral Cancer Is Rising Among People With HIV Risk factors for oral cancer include smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, having a lower CD4 count and being a heterosexual man.

News from #CROI2026. Oral cancer rates are rising among people with HIV as well as the general population. One thing that surprised me is that rates were higher among HIV+ heterosexual men versus gay men -- possibly because HPV is more easily transmitted from women than from men during oral sex.

CROI 2026 Opens With Calls to Action Trump’s “war on science” has set back efforts to end the HIV epidemic, but the tide may be turning.

“We need to start planning now for the great rebuilding,” long-time AIDS activist Peter Staley said at the opening session of #CROI2026.

www.poz.com/article/croi...

Top HIV Science Stories of 2025 Twice-yearly PrEP makes its debut, novel HIV treatments are in the pipeline and metabolic health gets more attention.

Here's my picks for the key HIV science stories of 2025. I didn't even touch the year's biggest news in the HIV/AIDS world, which is the dramatic impact on research, prevention & domestic & global services due to the Trump administration’s funding cuts & interference with federal health agencies.

Shingles Vaccine Prevents Heart Disease, Dementia and Death in People With HIV Vaccination is recommended for all adults living with HIV regardless of age or CD4 count.

Following a study at #IDWeek2025 showing shingles vaccine reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia & death for general population, another finds the same for people with HIV. Vax is recommended for all HIV+ people regardless of age or CD4 count.

www.poz.com/article/shin...

Combination Immunotherapy May Delay HIV Rebound An HIV vaccine plus broadly neutralizing antibodies and an immune-stimulating drug helped control HIV after stopping antiretrovirals.

Three reports in @nature.com for #WorldAIDSDay provide more details on an HIV cure after a stem cell transplant & long-term remission with broadly neutralizing antibodies & immunotherapy. But if you follow @pozmagazine.bsky.social, you'd get the news 1-2 years sooner!

www.poz.com/article/comb...

SA becomes first African country to register twice-a-year anti-HIV jab... at record speed | News24 South Africa has become the first African country – and our medicines regulator the third worldwide – to register the revolutionary twice-a-year anti-HIV jab, lenacapavir (LEN), that could bring an en...

"South Africa has become the first African country... to register the revolutionary twice-a-year anti-HIV jab, #lenacapavir" via @news24southafrica.bsky.social

Older People With HIV Are at Risk for Frailty and Falls Falls, often linked to the use of multiple medications, can lead to fractures, disability and death.

Older people with HIV who take multiple medications, especially anticholinergic drugs & sedatives, were more likely to experience frailty & were at higher risk for falls.

www.poz.com/article/olde...

CDC Recommends Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention Advocates urge health insurers to ensure coverage of the highly effective new PrEP option.

On September 18, the CDC added twice-yearly lenacapavir (Yeztugo) to its recommendations for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. Health officials and advocates hope the CDC nod will increase insurers’ coverage of the new prevention tool.

www.poz.com/article/cdc-...

Join us on 24 Hours to Save AIDS Research NOW to hear about the incredible successes of the NIH-funded HIV research networks, with leaders Myron Cohen, Larry Corey, Joseph Eron, and Sharon Nachman on YouTube: bit.ly/45Qftts #saveAIDSresearch #HIV

ACTION ALERT: Watch “24 Hours to Save AIDS Research,” an Online Marathon to Highlight HIV Research Advances Global HIV experts unite online to warn about massive federal budget cuts and help the public understand the benefits of HIV research.

For the Sept. 16 marathon, global HIV experts will unite online to warn about massive federal budget cuts and help the public understand the benefits of HIV research. @avac.org

www.poz.com/article/acti...

Cuts Kill! — Kill the Cuts! Advocates rally on Capitol Hill and lobby legislators to save HIV funding.

Nearly 100 advocates held a rally on Capitol Hill on Friday, September 5, to protest pending cuts to HIV prevention, services and research in the United States and worldwide.

www.poz.com/article/cuts...

USCHA Day One: Scenes From the 2025 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS Protests on Capitol Hill, DEI whiplash, dandelions and long-term survivors: Check them out at this year’s USCHA in Washington, DC.

New: @trentstraube.bsky.social’s report on happenings so far at #USCHA #2025USCHA.

www.poz.com/article/usch...

HIV funding rally at the Capitol. #CutsKill #SaveHIVfunding #2025USCHA #USCHA @prep4allnow.bsky.social @housingworksnyc.bsky.social @sfaidsfound.bsky.social @pozmagazine.bsky.social

HIV funding rally at the Capitol. #CutsKill #SaveHIVfunding #2025USCHA #USCHA @prep4allnow.bsky.social @housingworksnyc.bsky.social @sfaidsfound.bsky.social

The @pozmagazine.bsky.social team is ready to greet you at #2025USCHA!

HIV Maturation Inhibitor Shows Promise in Early Study HRF-10071 substantially reduced viral load when tested as monotherapy, and trials of combination treatment are forthcoming.

News from #IAS2025: HRF-10071, a novel HIV maturation inhibitor, showed good antiviral activity in a small Phase II study. If confirmed in larger trials, it could offer a new option for people with drug-resistant virus & it may have potential for long-acting treatment.

www.poz.com/article/hiv-...

CDC in Turmoil as Director Is Ousted, Top Leaders Resign CDC head Susan Monarez reportedly clashed with RFK Jr. over vaccine policy; Demetre Daskalakis issues blistering statement.

Dr. Susan Monarez is out as director of the CDC after friction with Department of Health and Human Services head RFK Jr. At least three high-level agency officials resigned in protest, including Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, who previously led the nation’s HIV prevention efforts and mpox response.

Cabenuva Can Be an Option for People Without Viral Suppression Most people who started the long-acting injectables with a detectable viral load were able to bring their HIV under control.

"Long-acting #HIV treatment with injectable cabotegravir & rilpivirine (Cabenuva) may be a good choice for people who have been unable to maintain viral suppression on daily oral therapy, according to a pair of studies presented at #IAS2025 in Rwanda" via @pozmagazine.bsky.social

Ulonivirine Shows Promise for Weekly Oral HIV Treatment Study was halted early but the novel NNRTI is now being tested with a lower dose of islatravir.

"Ulonivirine, an experimental non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, has the potential to be a component of once-weekly oral #HIV treatment, according to Phase II study results presented at #IAS2025 in #Rwanda."

@lizhighleyman.bsky.social @pozmagazine.bsky.social

Once-Monthly Oral PrEP Moves into Phase III Trials Merck’s MK-8527 could offer a long-acting HIV prevention option for people who don’t want injections.

News from #IAS2025: An investigational once-monthly pill from Merck/MSD holds promise for HIV PrEP. With favorable pharmacokinetics & a good safety profile, MK-8527 could offer a long-acting HIV prevention option for people who don’t want injections.

www.poz.com/article/mont...

I'm 50 and That's Nifty Today I am 50. I'd be remiss if I didn't share the great news here. And here's why!

Today I am 50. I'd be remiss if I didn't share the great news here. And here's why! #HIV www.poz.com/blog/50-nifty

Is DoxyPEP Spurring Antibiotic Resistance? Drug-resistant gonorrhea is on the rise, but experts say benefits are worthwhile for those at high risk for sexually transmitted infections.

As doxyPEP) becomes more widely used for prevention of STIs, questions remain about its implementation in the real world. At a symposium yesterday at #IAS2025, leading experts discussed outstanding challenges, including rising antibiotic resistance.

www.poz.com/article/doxy...

Momentum Builds For Long-Acting HIV Solutions IAS 2025 spotlights scientific progress, funding challenges and leaders’ calls to action.

#IAS2025: New WHO guidelines endorse lenacapavir PrEP, Medicines Patent Pool expands license for injectable cabotegravir for treatment & Merck’s once-monthly oral PrEP pill MK-8527 advances to Phase III trials.

www.poz.com/blog/momentu...

Experts at the 13th IAS Conference on HIV Science Warn Global HIV Gains at Risk Amid Sudden Funding Cuts Modelling and real-world data from Africa and Latin America revealing rising HIV acquisitions, stalled treatment and fragile health systems

Experts at the 13th IAS Conference on HIV Science Warn Global HIV Gains at Risk Amid Sudden Funding Cuts #IAS2025 #HIV www.poz.com/blog/experts...

Starting HIV Treatment Early Is Crucial for Your Health Today’s meds make living well with HIV more possible than ever. Here’s why starting treatment early matters.

Today’s #HIV meds make living well with HIV more possible than ever. Here’s why starting treatment early matters. www.poz.com/article/star...

NIH Ends Support for HIV Clinical Guidelines U.S. federal guidelines have been the most comprehensive source for recommendations about HIV treatment and care.

The National Institutes of Health intends to discontinue its support for federal HIV clinical guidelines by next summer, according to a memo from the NIH Office of AIDS Research. It is not yet clear whether maintenance of the guidelines will be taken over by another government agency.

Wistar Institute Unveils Center for HIV Cure Research The HIV Cure and Viral Disease Center brings together top scientists to advance HIV cure research and study other viral diseases.

Wistar Institute Unveils Center for HIV Cure Research -
The HIV Cure and Viral Disease Center brings together top scientists to advance #HIV cure research and study other viral diseases. www.poz.com/article/wist...

HIV, Queer Identity and the Politics of Health Care In today’s political climate, LGBTQ humanity is on the line.

HIV, Queer Identity and the Politics of Health Care -
In today’s political climate, LGBTQ humanity is on the line. www.poz.com/article/hiv-...

FDA Approves Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention More than 99% of people who received Yeztugo in two large clinical trials remained HIV negative.

The FDA approved twice-yearly lenacapavir (Yeztugo) for PrEP, making it the longest-acting HIV prevention method. Advocates lauded the eagerly awaited approval but expressed concern that the $28,000 annual price tag could limit access as HIV prevention funding is being slashed in the US & worldwide.

Are Cancer Rates Declining Among People With HIV? Despite an overall decrease in cancer incidence, malignancies linked to human papillomavirus and viral hepatitis remain a concern.

Rates of most types of cancer are falling or stable among people living with HIV, according to a large study. Cancers related to immune suppression continue to decline, but HIV-positive people remain at substantially higher risk for anal & liver cancer compared with the population at large.