Mar. 4: Bone Loss During HIV Treatment: A Possible Side Effect of CD4 Cell Recovery
	Bone loss may occur in people living with HIV during the first three months of therapy, according to new research involving humans and mice conducted at Emory University in Atlanta exploring the role of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy-induced immune activation on bone metabolism. These results, which suggest that early bone protection therapy may offset possible damage, were reported by Ighovwerha Ofotokun, MD, in an elegant presentation on Monday, February 28, at the 18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Boston.

	Mar. 4: U.S. Women Prefer a Pill Over a Vaginal Gel for Prevention
	U.S. women involved in a study comparing the safety, blood levels and acceptability of two methods of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV transmission—an oral version of the antiretroviral (ARV) drug tenofovir and a vaginal gel version—strongly preferred the pill over the gel. These data were presented Monday, February 28, at the 18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Boston.

	Mar. 4: Non-AIDS-Related Cancers Are Now the Leading Cause of Death in People With HIV
	A Swiss study found that non-AIDS-related cancers have become the leading cause of death among people with HIV, in general, but that liver-related diseases far outweigh all other causes of death for people coinfected with both HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Meanwhile, a second study suggests that antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are not contributing to deaths from any cause. These studies were presented Tuesday, March 1, at the 18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Boston.

	Mar. 3: Study Says HIV and Inflammation, Not ARVs, Predict Cardiovascular Risk
	The length of time (duration) that someone has been infected with HIV, as well as his or her markers of blood vessel and immune inflammation, is predictive of clogging of the arteries (atherosclerosis), but the use of antiretrovirals (ARVs) is not. These data were presented Monday, February 28, at the 18th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Boston.

	Mar. 3: Isentress Has Long-Term HIV Efficacy and Safety, but Is Best Taken Twice Daily
	The good news: Isentress (raltegravir)-based antiretroviral (ARV) therapy appears to work just as well as Sustiva (efavirenz)-inclusive regimens (such as Atripla), with fewer blood lipid problems, for at least three years in first-time HIV treatment takers. The not-so-good news: For best results using Isentress, twice-daily dosing is likely more effective than once-daily dosing in first-line drug regimens.