For those who can recall the devastation brought on by the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, today’s treatments are nothing short of a miracle. In a new editorial from The New York Times, long-acting drugs being researched and developed at the University of Washington may have transformative potential for the treatment and prevention of HIV around the world.
Rooted in advancements from the UW School of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutics, the researchers behind the Targeted Long-Acting Combination AntiRetroviral Therapy (TLC-ART) program represent a wealth of expertise and collaboration as they develop therapeutic treatments for HIV, cancer and other infectious diseases. Founded by Dr. Rodney Ho and Dr. Ann Collier, the TLC-ART program represents years of unwavering determination and groundbreaking discoveries, consulting often with experts from statistics and mathematics to behavioral science, pharmacokinetics and more. Leveraging on technical innovation, regulatory acumen and clinical ingenuity, the program embodies a multidisciplinary effort to accelerate discovery into drug combinations with profound potential.
As scientists close in on longer-acting modalities for HIV treatment, like a weekly pill or a monthly shot, researchers at the UW feel optimistic about the future for patients –– especially when it comes to stigma surrounding the disease, which is a barrier to treatment in itself. “That stigma –– that internalized stigma –– of taking that pill every morning, is what prevents them from taking it,” said Dr. Rachel Bender Ignacio, Director of UW Positive Research and a member of UW TLC-ART leadership team. UW Positive is a human-centered clinical research site within the UW School of Medicine aiming to improve medical care for people with HIV. In Rachel’s words, the mental burden of daily medication is lifted considerably for patients with the promise of enduring care over time: “To not have to remember that every morning is earth changing.”
Long-acting alternatives to traditional HIV treatment have the potential to turn a formidable disease into a manageable diagnosis with encouraging treatment options, especially for patient populations with inconsistent access to healthcare, housing and transportation –– a promising development in a country where 39 million people live with HIV but only half have the disease under control. Long-acting TLC-ART HIV treatment product may provide long-acting treatment to reduce stigma, less frequent dosing and perhaps longer lasting remission so that people living with HIV will have equal chance to remain in good health.
The first phase of clinical testing is underway for TLC-ART 101 –– an injectable, long-acting drug product candidate for HIV treatment developed by the TLC-ART program at UW. By harnessing the power of synchronized drug delivery, TLC-ART 101 not only ensures sustained plasma and cellular drug presence but also heralds a new era of patient adherence and convenience. And the impact doesn’t stop there.
With a steadfast commitment to public-private partnerships, the TLC-ART program continually breaks new ground in biomedical research, with current projects focusing on hepatitis B, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer treatment. Through the collaborative efforts of esteemed sponsors, supporters and industry benefactors, the TLC-ART program at UW continues to push the boundaries of scientific possibility with a promise of hope and progress for millions of patients worldwide.
As this crucial work continues to make headlines, the UW School of Pharmacy reaffirms our position at the forefront of HIV and cancer research to develop the best long-acting and drug combination therapeutics synchronized to make clinical impacts. In partnership with healthcare leaders across disciplines world-wide, we chart new territories and forge ahead with unwavering determination. Together, we’re guided by a simple truth: Through science, compassion and collaboration, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges to our collective wellbeing, one breakthrough at a time.