Positive Pulse: Expert Commentaries From ICAAC 2009

Faculty

Needs Statement

The Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) is one of the leading scientific conferences covering research into the pathogenesis and treatment of infectious diseases. Coming as it does at the beginning of the autumn, the ICAAC meeting is often an excellent opportunity for US clinicians to get up to speed on the key data and treatment trends that have emerged throughout the year.

This issue of POSITIVE PULSE provides a review of selected highlights of the 2009 ICAAC conference, supplemented by commentary about the clinical significance of the data and how it might impact your clinical practice in the coming months.

In our lead story, we take a look at the important data that continue to emerge related to the management of HIV infection in women. We focus particularly on two presentations from the GRACE (Gender, Race And Clinical Experience) study, one evaluating the use of etravirine in women, the other analyzing the results of GRACE according to race. In addition, we discuss the important safety data that are available from the Antiretroviral Pregnancy Registry.

Another key area of interest at the conference was the current state of HIV testing practices in the US. In particular, a study from Washington, DC, highlighted the limits of risk-based HIV testing in high-prevalence areas.

Although the number of treatment options has grown significantly in recent years, providers are always looking for new therapies that will address the needs of their patients. Several poster presentations at the conference provide an early look at the non-ritonavir boosting agent GS-9350 as well as preliminary data on two closely related next-generation integrase inhibitors in development.

Along with new treatment options, several studies presented at the 2009 ICAAC conference provide further insights into the use of a number of currently available antiretrovirals. These included 2-year data from the STARTMRK study and a small noncomparative trial looking at the safety and tolerability of raltegravir in adolescent patients with HIV. A post hoc analysis of the ArTEN (Atazanavir/ritonavir on a background of Tenofovir and Emtricitabine versus Nevirapine) study illustrates the potent early virologic effect of nevirapine. Finally, interim results from the INSPIRE study indicate that treatment with interleukin-7 increased the production of CD4 and CD8 cells in patients with HIV, although the clinical benefits of this increase is unknown.

As you know, the science of HIV continues to advance at a rapid pace. It is our intention that this issue of POSITIVE PULSE will keep you up-to-date with the latest developments in the field of HIV and support you in your efforts to provide your patients with the best possible HIV care.

Target Audience

This activity is designed for health care practitioners (physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses) involved in the management of HIV patients.

Objectives

1. Identify recent developments in the field of HIV research, including epidemiology, transmission, access to care, and updates to treatment guidelines;
2. Analyze the latest data from clinical trials regarding the use of existing and novel antiretroviral agents for the treatment of naïve and experienced patients with HIV, including strategies to overcome drug resistance.

Accreditation

CME
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and HealthmattersCME. The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.

CNE
The University of Kentucky, College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation (ANCC).

The Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) approves The University of Kentucky College of Nursing (UKCON) as a provider. ANCC and KBN approval of a continuing nursing education provider does not constitute endorsement of program content nor commercial sponsors. This educational activity is offered for a maximum of 1.00 ANCC and 1.2 KBN contact hour(s) for nurses who complete the entire program. Provider #: 3-0008-01-13-202. Certificates may be printed once the program is completed.

University of Kentucky College of Nursing is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider 00340864.

Faculty Disclosure

Dr. Hodder had the following to disclose:
Speakers Bureau: Bristol-Myers Squibb
Contract Research Support: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Pfizer Inc, Tibotec
Consultant: Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Tibotec
Spouse’s Financial Interest: Retired Merck employee

Dr. Sax had the following to disclose:
Consultant: Abbott, Bristol-Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Tibotec
Teaching Honoraria: Abbott, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Merck, Tibotec

Activity Sponsorship

This activity is jointly sponsored by the University of Kentucky and HealthmattersCME. Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Gilead Sciences Medical Affairs and Bristol-Myers Squibb.