Directions in HIV/AIDS research. A Minnesota perspective

Clinical studies involving HIV therapeutics are becoming ever more challenging because of the changing epidemiology of HIV infection, the rapid evolution of standard clinical practice, and a more difficult economic environment for research. Recent studies relating to HIV pathogenesis have provided novel insights into the interactions between HIV, the immune system, and antiretroviral therapies. Current dogma now suggests that the interaction of HIV and the immune system is an incredibly dynamic process. HIV is an intimidating pathogen capable of replicating quickly and mutating very rapidly in response to antiretroviral therapy. An important question being studied by Minnesota-based investigators is how well plasma analysis reflects HIV-immune system interactions in the lymphoid tissue where most virus and CD4+ (T-helper) cells are located. Most of the HIV clinical studies in Minnesota are conducted under the auspices of the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) or the AIDS Research Consortium of the Twin Cities (ARCTiC). Much expertise is available in Minnesota addressing a wide range of topics, from epidemiology, to basic virology, to prevention. To optimize patient access to clinical studies, we recommend that physicians discuss available clinical studies with an HIV investigator soon after first seeing a new HIV-infected patient.