What We’re Reading: Remembering Champions in the Fight Against AIDS, News from the Field, and Critical Research
Posted by
Jane Coaston
Washington, D.C.
September 21, 2012
This week, we’re remembering pioneers in HIV treatment research, learning about the Foundation’s work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and reading about new research emerging from clinical trials for a HIV vaccine.
New York Times – Jerome Horwitz, AZT Creator, Dies at 93 Originally intending it to be a treatment for some types of cancer, Jerome Horwitz developed AZT (short for azidothymidine). 22 years after the compound was created, AZT became one of the first antiviral medications to be used for HIV, saving millions of lives. Dr. Horwitz died this week at the age of 93.
EGPAF – Notes from the Field: Fighting HIV/AIDS in the Democratic Republic of Congo The Foundation was the first to partner with the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to offer PMTCT services and HIV testing back in 2001. Over ten years later, the Foundation is working to maintain its projects in two of the most underserved provinces in the country, and we need your help. This blog, from DRC Country Director Dr. John Ditekemena, explains more about EGPAF’s work in the DRC.
Scientific American – Vaccine Trial Reveals Weak Spots in HIV's Armor At the AIDS Vaccine conference held earlier this month in Boston, Massachusetts, researchers released a paper indicating that creating an immune response is essential to making an effective vaccine for HIV. The paper noted that people who were able to respond to early trial versions of an HIV vaccine were capable of creating antibodies to a specific part of the HIV virus. Researchers are now focused on duplicating those results and learning more about the relationships between these antibodies and the HIV virus.
Jane Coaston is Media Relations Coordinator for the Foundation, based in Washington, D.C.