SpRInG 2011 INNThe newsletter of amfAR,OV The FoundationAT for AIDS ResearchIONS

Dame Elizabeth Taylor, 1932 –2011 Founding International Chairman, amfAR

Dame Elizabeth Taylor was one of the most inspirational fi gures in the fi ght against HIV/AIDS. In the early years of the epidemic, she brought AIDS out of the shadows and used her celebrity to shame and cajole politicians into action. An ardent and forceful advocate, Dame Elizabeth testifi ed before Congress on the need for substantial investments in AIDS treatment, care, and research, and she raised millions for amfAR through her participation in benefi t events in the U.S. and abroad. Unfortunately, ill health prevented Dame Elizabeth from attending the amfAR New York Gala in February, when she was honored in absentia with amfAR’s Award of Courage. In his tribute remarks, Sir Elton John said, “Elizabeth Taylor was a force of nature. She compelled people to listen, made them respond, urged them to act. Elizabeth Taylor has inspired every one of us and many millions of others around the world. She has shown us the meaning of courage and moral responsibility. She’ll forever be our guiding star.” n

(For more on Elizabeth Taylor’s extraordinary contributions to the fi ght against HIV/AIDS, see insert.)

Cure Research Advancing

on Multiple Fronts Photo: Monash University

Scientifi c interest in the search for a cure for December 2010 publication in the journal HIV/AIDS has been building over the past Blood of a peer-reviewed paper on the “Berlin few years, a groundswell that is generating patient”—the HIV-positive man whose cure a critical mass of activity among researchers via a stem-cell transplant inspired new hope and scientifi c organizations, including amfAR. for cure research. Special sessions at major scientifi c “This year we are fi nally seeing real conferences on the prospects for a cure and momentum building for research towards noteworthy new commitments to research a cure,” said Rowena Johnston, Ph.D., into a cure from amfAR and others are vice president and director of research at contributing to this wave of guarded optimism amfAR. “amfAR has funded projects whose in the scientifi c community. Public interest results have sharpened our understanding in the subject has also been piqued by the of the barriers to a cure and revealed some Dr. Sharon Lewin and other amfAR researchers addressed the subject of a cure for HIV during the COnTInuED On pAGE 4 opening session of a recent HIV conference.

amfAR,www.amfar.org The Foundation amfAR, for The AIDS Foundation Research for AIDS www.amfAR.org Research INNOVATIONS, SPRING 2011 Innovations FROM THE CEO The Newsletter of amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research Our Shining Star Spring 2011 120 Wall Street, 13th Floor New York, NY 10005-3908 tel: (212) 806-1600 On March 23, a AIDS. But it also causes us to celebrate Dame fax: (212) 806-1601 luminous beacon Elizabeth’s qualities and enormous contributions of compassion to amfAR and to people living with HIV/AIDS 1150 17th Street, NW, Suite 406 Washington, DC 20036-4622 and courageous everywhere. The best way for us to honor Dame tel: (202) 331-8600 leadership on AIDS Elizabeth’s memory is to face down prejudice and fax: (202) 331-8606 was extinguished. The discrimination wherever we encounter them and TREAT Asia death of our Founding to recommit ourselves to bringing an end to the Exchange Tower International Chairman, global AIDS epidemic. 388 Sukhumvit Road, Suite 2104 Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand is a tragic and profound tel: (+66) 2 663-7561 loss to anyone who The best way for us to honor fax: (+66) 2 663-7562 cares about AIDS. Even though Dame Elizabeth’s Dame Elizabeth’s memory is to www.amfar.org ill health prevented her from making public recommit ourselves to bringing an appearances on amfAR’s behalf in recent years, Newsletter Staff we feel her absence acutely. end to the global AIDS epidemic. Carolyn Hanson Editor How proud we are to have been associated with such an extraordinary human being. Dame John F. Kennedy once said, “I am certain Andrew McInnes Director, Public Information Elizabeth embraced not the cause but the people that after the dust of centuries has passed over Constance Herndon affected by HIV/AIDS. And in those early days, to our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for Senior Staff Writer be affected by HIV/AIDS usually meant to be dying victories or defeats in battles or in politics, but for Raoul Norman-Tenazas Creative Director of it. She was the very embodiment of passion our contribution to the human spirit.” Few have Yolande Hunter and compassion in equal measure. For Dame contributed as much to the human spirit as Dame Creative Coordinator Elizabeth, it wasn’t so much a fight against AIDS Elizabeth Taylor. as it was a fight against bigotry, willful ignorance, and inaction. Her passing adds an unexpectedly somber dimension to our commemoration of amfAR’s Kevin Robert Frost amfAR meets the BBB 25 years in the forefront of the fight against Chief Executive Officer Wise Giving Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability

HP is the offical technology supplier of amfAR.

MSM Initiative Continues to Strengthen Delta Air Lines is the official airline of amfAR. Grassroots Groups Worldwide

From the first ever study of transgender people using their awards to build on work previously radio program to raise HIV awareness in South Africa to prevention education for funded by amfAR—a testament to the MSM among MSM in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. indigenous Yukpa gay men in Venezuela, Initiative’s growing impact. Among eight funded projects in Africa, amfAR’s recent MSM Initiative community In Latin America, seven projects were two groups in Cameroon—including one receiving awards span a wide range of innovative funded, including a community health center funding from the MSM Initiative for the fourth approaches to fighting HIV among men who for MSM in Asunción, Paraguay; an Internet- year in a row—are working together to extend have sex with men (MSM). based radio program and blogs aimed at access to HIV education and treatment for MSM. Twenty-three grassroots groups in Latin reaching MSM in Colombia; and a program in Other projects include a prevention and advocacy America, Asia and the Pacific, and Africa have Honduras that will use theater as a means of initiative for MSM in Zimbabwe and outreach for recently received amfAR funding for projects educating young MSM. male sex workers and other MSM in Ethiopia. n to boost HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention, Eight projects in Asia and the Pacific testing, and treatment efforts within this highly include HIV outreach for migrant Burmese A list of all 2011 MSM Initiative Community vulnerable population. In addition to several MSM in Thailand, the first periodical for male Awards to date is available at www.amfar.org/ first-time grantees, a number of groups are sex workers in China, and a newsletter and msm.

2 INNOVATIONS, SPRING 2011 amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research www.amfar.org GLOBAL LookingamfAR MSM Consultation Out Add forresse sthe the Confluen Neighborsce of Rights and Health MSM Initiative Steps into the Breach in the Americas

The U.S. is the largest funder of HIV/AIDS Movement) illustrates the programs in the world, but proximity offers no human impact of these guarantees for some of its closest neighbors. projects. For the last Throughout much of the Americas—Central and few years, UNIBAM and South America as well as the Caribbean—AIDS its executive president, funding is scant compared with many other Caleb Orozco, have regions of the world, and support for programs been working with an addressing HIV among men who have sex with HIV-positive volunteer men (MSM) perhaps most of all. named Michael (his name amfAR’s MSM Initiative, in partnership has been changed here with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, has to protect his privacy). In Belize, UNIBAM’s head, Caleb Orozco, discusses stigma and stepped into the breach, committing $1.3 When the 20-year-old first discrimination among MSM. million since 2007 for grassroots MSM groups discovered that he was fighting HIV in the Americas. One of the largest positive he fell into despair and refused to for wearing girl’s attire. By collecting funders of AIDS programs in the region, John’s seek treatment. “But accepting that he was documentation and advocating on behalf foundation has supported 100 percent of positive helped him begin a journey toward of the student, Michael helped UNIBAM amfAR’s MSM awards in Latin America and the taking care of himself and accepting his call national attention to the issue and Caribbean—45 grants in 21 countries. identity,” said Caleb. successfully pressure authorities to With MSM accounting for around After joining UNIBAM in 2009, Michael reinstate the student. And he was able 25 percent of all new HIV infections in the began to change his life. It hasn’t always to help initiate a long-overdue dialogue Caribbean and Latin America and homophobia come easily. “Even last year I made Caleb on trans rights in a country where same- a powerful social force, the region has walk 10 feet in front of me so that no one sex sexual behavior is illegal. desperately needed champions. Reaching out would suspect we were friends,” he admitted. The government of Belize has no to highly diverse MSM communities, the MSM But today Michael’s efforts on behalf of the official statistics on how many MSM there Initiative supports a broad range of projects— MSM community are making a difference. A are in the country and there has been no amfAR meets the BBB HIV prevention among indigenous MSM in victim of violence as a younger man, he is direct investment in HIV programming for Wise Giving Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability Venezuela, sign-language HIV education now working to empower MSM to defend MSM. Largely ignored and underfunded, in Guyana, HIV risk-reduction outreach themselves against homophobic assaults. the HIV crisis among MSM in Belize and for transgender people in Brazil, safe-sex Michael and UNIBAM are also documenting throughout the region has accelerated. information for MSM via radio in Colombia, hate crimes to make a case to authorities But with the support of amfAR’s MSM behavior change programs for MSM in Haiti, about the dangers faced by MSM. Initiative and the Elton John AIDS and many more. Not long ago Michael took up Foundation, organizations like UNIBAM, In Belize, two-time MSM Initiative the cause of a transgender youth who and activists like Michael, are helping to grantee UNIBAM (the United Belize Advocacy was expelled from a state-funded school turn the tide. n

Together for the First Time amfAR MSM Consultation Addresses the Confluence of Rights and Health

The powerful connection between human rights and human health landmark consultation in December. “Human rights and rights- is exemplified in many ways by the burgeoning HIV/AIDS epidemic based talk has become empty rhetoric,” charged Mandeep Dhaliwal among stigmatized and marginalized communities of men who of the United Nations Development Programme. “The challenge for have sex with men (MSM). And yet advocates and policy makers this meeting is to determine how we can put them back in place.” who grapple with HIV, human rights, and MSM have not forged a Participating policy makers and advocates in the fields of HIV common strategy to address the epidemic. and MSM, human rights, and LBGT rights were asked for specific Addressing for the first time the integration of human rights suggestions to help advance the human rights and HIV health needs and health in the global fight against HIV/AIDS among MSM, of MSM and transgender people, who are systematically neglected amfAR gathered more than 60 experts from 15 countries for a in many countries and by many funders around the world. continued on page 6

www.amfar.org amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research INNOVATIONS, SPRING 2011 3 RESEARCH Discovering and Destroying

HIV Where It Hides Photo: Sandrina Da Fonseca amfAR Grants Aimed at Search for a Cure

amfAR announced a new round of research ability of the virus to persist even in awards in February aimed at exploring how the face of antiretroviral therapy (ART). to cure HIV infection. The eight awards will • Vicente Planelles, Ph.D., at the provide funds for researchers from California University of Utah, who has developed Nicolas Chomont will study whether certain cell proteins to Virginia and from Switzerland to Australia a method to test chemical libraries can lock down an HIV-infected cell, resulting in a latent who are investigating new paths toward consisting of tens of thousands of viral reservoir. eradicating HIV. compounds for their ability to reactivate “How the virus persists and, more cells in a test tube to discover latent HIV so that it can be targeted by importantly, how we can cure infection is mechanisms that increase the ART and/or the immune system. one of the last frontiers of HIV/AIDS likelihood that HIV infection will research,” said amfAR CEO Kevin Robert • Phillip Smith, M.D., at the University become latent, as opposed to Frost. “These eight researchers are ideally of Alabama, who is examining the replicating itself. suited to gain the upper hand over the amount of latent HIV harbored in virus and ultimately to help the scientific intestinal macrophages. He hopes to The two research fellowships were community find a cure for HIV/AIDS.” determine the extent to which a viral awarded to: The six new amfAR grantees are: eradication strategy targeting intestinal Victor Dahl, M.D., at the Karolinska macrophages would contribute to a • • Nicolas Chomont, Ph.D., of the Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, who cure. Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute aims to determine whether the brain of Florida, who will investigate the • Didier Trono, M.D., at the Ecole is a “sanctuary site” where HIV is possibility that certain cell proteins can Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, protected from ART, and whether HIV lock down an infected cell, resulting in Switzerland, who suspects that HIV harbored there grows and migrates to a latent reservoir of virus that cannot recruits cell proteins to change the DNA other parts of the body. be eliminated. He will also look at environment surrounding the virus, • Suha Saleh, Ph.D., at Monash whether blocking these cell proteins thus shielding the virus from either University in Australia, who will might be a potential strategy for curing drug therapy or the immune system. If investigate whether chemokines— HIV infection. so, this information could be used to hormones that perform critical immune develop drug strategies exposing HIV • Christina Kitchen, Ph.D., at UCLA, functions—play an important role in to destruction by ART. who plans to probe the relationship establishing HIV latency and may serve between virus levels and immune • Mudit Tyagi, Ph.D., at George Mason as a potential means of reversing it. n activation, which may contribute to the University, who will use latently infected

Cure Research Advancing continued from page 1

promising leads to investigate. It’s immensely gratifying to see that Awakened interest in cure research was further illustrated in a growing number of scientists are paying serious attention to the December 2010 at the DART 2010 conference, where the opening issue.” session addressed the search for a cure. A number of amfAR grantees In February, amfAR announced a new round of research were among featured presenters, including ARCHE investigator Steven grants for projects that will explore the mechanisms for HIV Deeks, M.D.; Daria Hazuda, Ph.D., who serves on amfAR’s Program persistence even in the face of drug therapy, and the potential for Advisory Council; and Sharon Lewin, M.D. HIV eradication (see story above). “We received a very high number The International AIDS Society (IAS) has also identified an of applications proposing a range of basic and clinical studies, and HIV cure among its key priorities and is developing a strategy aimed they came from a wider group of countries than ever before,” said at advancing the search for a cure. Dr. Johnston is serving on the Dr. Johnston. project’s advisory panel, and 15 out of 31 members of the scientific The centerpiece of amfAR’s cure-focused research, the working group are current and former amfAR grantees, including Dr. amfAR Research Consortium on HIV Eradication (ARCHE), will make Deeks, who has been named co-chair along with IAS president-elect its second round of grants in 2011, even as current ARCHE grantees Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, Ph.D., herself a former amfAR grantee who push forward with a series of collaborative studies. received a Nobel Prize for the discovery of HIV. n

4 INNOVATIONS, SPRING 2011 amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research www.amfar.org Investments in Young Researchers Pay Off Krim Fellows Embark on Independent Careers in AIDS Research

More than three years after amfAR launched in my career, the Krim Fellowship helped the Mathilde Krim Fellowships in Basic me move forward.” He became an assistant Biomedical Research, many of the young professor at the University of Amsterdam scientists who received these prestigious in late 2009, and subsequently received awards are achieving impressive success. a Vidi grant, the most prestigious career In an era when support for early-career development grant for junior faculty in the scientists is drying up, these researchers are Netherlands. making extraordinary progress on a wide For Dr. Diaz-Griffero, whose studies range of projects. They have also been able of a protein that blocks HIV in monkeys may to leverage their amfAR funding to apply aid in the development of new treatments for larger grants to sustain their work, and in humans, the amfAR funding he received are establishing careers as independent while at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers at prestigious institutions. also helped him move to the next stage of his career. “When I got the Krim Fellowship, I was able to gather data that enabled me “At a critical moment in my to apply for NIH funding, which is helping Navid Madani’s research into a vaginal microbicide career, the Krim Fellowship continued on page 8 is now continuing with support from the NIH. helped me move forward.”

Among the first Krim Fellows were Rogier Sanders, Ph.D., and Felipe Diaz- Griffero, Ph.D. Both researchers have since New Krim Fellows Test Bold New been appointed to tenure-track positions—a Methods to Treat and Prevent HIV path made easier, they say, by their Krim Fellowships—and both subsequently received Joining the growing ranks of young researchers who have received Phase II Krim funding from amfAR, which amfAR’s Mathilde Krim Fellowships are four scientists who are developing supported their research for an additional year. new ways to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS and its associated conditions. The “It’s really difficult to start an fellowship recipients will each receive $125,000 for two years of research. independent career as a researcher, and the transition from postdoc to junior faculty is especially challenging,” said Dr. Sanders, who • Matthew McNatt, Ph.D., of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center is using HIV’s own process of evolution to in New York City, is studying the interaction between an HIV-blocking design a potential HIV vaccine. “There were cell protein called tetherin and its countermeasure, called Vpu, which a few times during the past few years when I stops tetherin from blocking the virus. His study of how the two thought about quitting science and finding a proteins bind together may provide information that could be used to job in the private sector. At a critical moment develop drugs against Vpu. • Andres Finzi, Ph.D., of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, is investigating the earliest stages of HIV infection—the interactions between proteins in the virus and in the cell—in order to discover potential means of disrupting infection.

• Megan Crane, Ph.D., of Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, is testing the hypothesis that HIV-induced inflammatory processes may lead to liver damage—a study that could contribute to the development of therapies to halt or reverse liver disease progression in HIV patients.

• Nicholas Maness, Ph.D., of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is testing his theory that yet-to-be-discovered HIV proteins may serve Following his Krim Fellowship, Rogier Sanders was as the basis for a possible vaccine. appointed to a tenure-track post and received a prestigious grant. www.amfar.org amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research INNOVATIONS, SPRING 2011 5 POLICY A Turning Point for HIV Prevention?

Recent scientific advances and a renewed and advocates, emphasized the impor- commitment to reaching those most at risk tance of employing multiple strategies in for HIV have helped bring about a turning order to stem the tide of new infections. point in HIV prevention, agreed participants “In an interconnected world, we must at a March 9 amfAR-sponsored Congres- combine scientific advances with public sional briefing. health approaches, sharing best practic- Encouraging results from studies es to scale up interventions that work,” of pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP (a noted Susan Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.A., daily pill to prevent infection), microbicides amfAR’s senior medical and policy advi- (topical gels), and potential vaccines of- sor, who moderated the briefing. fer hope that biomedical strategies may An amfAR issue brief released at soon be added to a growing prevention Dr. Kevin Fenton of the CDC, who described efforts to scale the meeting and titled Accelerating an arsenal. (For more on PrEP, see below.) In up HIV prevention in the U.S., with amfAR Senior Policy and HIV Prevention Revolution: A Roadmap the U.S., the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Medical Advisor Dr. Susan Blumenthal and Vice President and details the full range of current and po- is providing a framework for scaling up ef- Director of Public Policy Chris Collins tential prevention strategies and offers fective interventions in at-risk populations, policy recommendations for moving the employing strategies including behavior and monitor HIV in virtually any setting worldwide field forward. n change and community viral load monitor- are providing new opportunities to reach people at ing (see story opposite). And technological risk of infection. The issue brief and other materials innovations such as targeted text messaging The panelists, who included biomedical and from the briefing are available at and bio-nano-chip technology to diagnose socio-behavioral researchers, public health officials, www.amfar.org.

MSM Consultation Landmark Study continued from page 3

Reveals Efficacy “The more we work in this field, the more we see that this really is a human rights issue,” said U.S. of Pre-Exposure Global AIDS Coordinator Dr. Eric Goosby in opening remarks. During the course of the two-day meeting, Prophylaxis participants from Brazil, France, Guyana, India, Senegal, Tajikistan, Thailand, the U.S., and many other countries engaged in intense discussions, ultimately Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may become an important new tool for preventing generating a series of concrete suggestions for the the spread of HIV, particularly among gay men at high risk of infection. U.S. government’s global AIDS program, PEPFAR, A recent clinical trial has shown that taking a combination of two and other funders. (Those recommendations have antiretroviral (ARV) drugs can significantly reduce the likelihood of HIV infection been published in a report entitled Integrating Rights among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM). The results of and Health for MSM and Other LGBT People, available the trial showed an overall 43.8 percent efficacy rate among participants, with at www.amfar.org.) significantly higher efficacy among those who took the study drugs consistently. Final recommendations included a call for The clinical trial, which began in 2007 and concluded in late 2010, involved the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator to release 2,499 high-risk MSM in six countries, who took either one tablet of Truvada or a its long-awaited guidance on MSM programming, placebo once a day. The men were also offered condoms and counseling. Success and for PEPFAR to take a firm leadership role in rates were closely correlated with adherence, indicating that PrEP works most encouraging countries to more effectively target effectively when taken regularly. MSM communities. Participants also urged PEPFAR Further research is required to answer key questions about whether to improve its ability to detail its MSM-specific PrEP can work effectively in other populations besides high-risk MSM, whether programming, budget allocations, and outcomes, intermittent dosing may also offer protection against the virus, and the potential none of which is now tracked independently, and they long-term risks of taking the drugs. Researchers and policy makers are also asked for a dedicated funding stream to intensify HIV evaluating the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of implementing PrEP. n treatment, care, and prevention targeting MSM. n

6 INNOVATIONS, SPRING 2011 amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research www.amfar.org Treating Individuals, Protecting Communities Interest Grows in Community Viral Load Monitoring

For decades, HIV prevention has focused also in staying ahead of new infections by “We’re all human and we on individual behavior. Ad campaigns and providing treatment that will make infected educational programs urged people to individuals less likely to transmit the virus to slip. In an environment use condoms, get tested, and avoid risky others. where there’s a lot of behavior such as injection drug use. Yet “This is like taking the temperature more than 56,000 people in the U.S. become of the community,” said Grant Colfax, M.D., untreated HIV, your chances newly infected each year, a number that has of the San Francisco Department of Public of infection when you slip remained unchanged for a decade. Health, who is at the forefront of efforts are much higher.” While acknowledging the to expand such monitoring. “It helps us continued importance of behavior change identify disparities and target resources,” he interventions, some public health officials explained at a recent amfAR Congressional suggesting that falling HIV rates cannot are now broadening their approach to briefing on HIV prevention. (See story be explained by increased condom use. prevention by focusing on communities opposite.) Examining the link between new rather than individuals. A strategy known as infections and high rates of untreated community viral load—which allows health HIV within communities also illuminates workers to pinpoint viral “hot spots,” get the striking disparities that characterize more people on treatment, and perhaps the U.S. epidemic and dispels common reduce new infections among those most myths about why people become at risk—is being adopted with promising infected. “A person’s risk of contracting results in highly affected cities across the HIV is not just about his or her individual U.S., most notably San Francisco. behavior,” said Chris Collins, amfAR’s vice president and director of public “This is like taking policy. “It’s about community context.” “In the black community, for the temperature of the example, many people aren’t getting the community.” treatment they need,” he continued. As a result, groups such as African-American gay men have disproportionately high The strategy is rooted in research rates of HIV compared with white gay showing that individuals with low or men because higher levels of HIV are undetectable viral loads—those on circulating within the black community, successful antiretroviral treatment—are and—as studies have established—not Grant Colfax, M.D., of the San Francisco much less infectious to others. By tracking because they engage in riskier behavior. Department of Public Health, speaking about the actual amount of virus in a given For Collins, using treatment as community—either a geographic area or community viral load at an amfAR Congressional briefing on HIV prevention community prevention represents a a particular demographic group—health common-sense approach. “If we had an workers can gauge how well treatment and intervention that would lead everyone to prevention efforts are working within that Although further research is needed use condoms all the time, it would be a community. to confirm the community-level impact of different story,” he said. “But we’re all Rather than simply revealing how “treatment as prevention,” evidence from human and we slip. In an environment many people are living with HIV and how San Francisco, Vancouver, and elsewhere where there’s a lot of untreated HIV, many become newly infected each year, suggests that it may be working. Total your chances of infection when you slip community viral load can tell officials community viral load in San Francisco are much higher. Increasing access to whether these HIV infections are being decreased between 2004 and 2008, most treatment not only helps people with well controlled by treatment. A high likely, experts agree, because of the city’s HIV live longer, but also gives us an community viral load indicates that many commitment to offering universal treatment opportunity to protect more people from people in the community are either not on and care. During the same period, the infection.” n treatment, not adhering to their regimens, number of new HIV infections in the city or not responding well to treatment. This also decreased. Notably, the number of information is critical not only in making sure other sexually transmitted infections such all those who need care are getting it, but as gonorrhea increased during that time, www.amfar.org amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research INNOVATIONS, SPRING 2011 7 GLOBAL A Deadly Nexus TREAT Asia Addresses Cancer and HIV in Asia

People with HIV are living longer, healthier lives thanks to anti-AIDS screening program drugs, but doctors around the world are seeing an increasing burden supported by TREAT of cancer in this population. In Asia, where cancer can be hard to Asia. The Thai study diagnose and treat because of limited medical resources, people with has raised significant HIV can face a double threat. concerns about amfAR’s TREAT Asia program gathered regional and global the extent of anal experts in November with the aim of deepening understanding of the cancer risk among complex nexus of cancer and HIV. “People with HIV have a higher risk MSM, according to A study conducted by Dr. Nittaya Phanuphak of developing certain cancers associated with other viral infections principal investigator (center) and colleagues has raised significant and so they can die younger,” said TREAT Asia Director Annette Sohn, Nittaya Phanuphak, concerns about anal cancer among MSM in M.D. “The situation is amplified in Asia and other resource-limited M.D. The study Thailand. regions.” is now looking at Because of the strong association of human papillomavirus proteins associated (HPV) with both anal and cervical cancers, a number of presentations with anal cancer in order to determine if men who are more likely to addressed current research into these two illnesses. Studies have progress to cancer can be more accurately identified. shown that HIV-positive women and men who have sex with men Another area of growing interest in Asia is liver cancer (MSM) are much more likely to have HPV-associated cancers. In the associated with viral hepatitis infection. Many of the local HIV epidemics U.S., HPV is now preventable through a childhood vaccine, but the in the region are connected with injection drug use and studies show cost is prohibitive in Asia. “We don’t have the infrastructure in Asia for that upwards of 90 percent of IDUs in Asia are also infected with cervical cancer screening in the general population, but it’s desperate- hepatitis C, which puts them at risk for liver cancer; this risk is even ly needed among women with HIV given the much higher risk,” said greater in the context of HIV infection. But because the costs of treating Liesl Messerschmidt, TREAT Asia’s director of research. hepatitis B and C are prohibitively high, local clinicians lack the tools to High rates of HPV-related anal dysplasia have been identified help patients who may have more problems with liver disease than with by the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre in Bangkok via a their HIV infection. n

Investments Pay Off continued from page 5

to support my research over the next five many preliminary results,” she explained, a position on the University of Utah’s faculty years,” he explained. It also helped him obtain “and I was working outside the box with my as a research associate professor. He and a junior faculty position at Albert Einstein hypotheses.” amfAR funding gave Dr. Madani his colleagues are now adapting their test- College of Medicine, where his Phase II an opportunity to gather preliminary data tube model so that it can be used to screen amfAR funding was “essential in my first using three new technologies to identify new possible compounds for use in drugs to flush year,” he said. HIV-blocking compounds. out latent HIV. Just a year after Thomas Gramberg, Dr. Madani is continuing her research As HIV/AIDS researchers move Ph.D., received a Krim Fellowship to conduct at Dana-Farber with funding from the NIH, closer to solving some of the key mysteries research on the cell biology of HIV at New for which she was able to apply using the about how the virus works, how it can be York University, he has already moved to the results from her amfAR-supported studies. blocked from becoming established in the tenure track. Dr. Gramberg said that amfAR “To be able to make a small contribution body, and even how it might be eradicated, support was “very helpful” in obtaining to the development of a female-controlled the continual infusion of talent and bold new his current job as a junior professor at prevention method like microbicides is thinking remains crucial. “The successes the Institute for Virology at the University wonderful for me,” she said. we’ve seen so far from Krim Fellows have of Erlangen-Nuremberg in his native Another 2009 Krim Fellow, Alberto shown that a relatively small investment in Germany—a highly prestigious position. Bosque, Ph.D., called the fellowship “an the careers of young scientists can have a For Navid Madani, Ph.D., receiving incredible opportunity.” Dr. Bosque, whose tremendous impact, reinvigorating the field a Krim Fellowship in 2009 enabled her to study of a test-tube model recreating HIV’s with new ideas,” said Rowena Johnston, use innovative strategies to test potential hidden reservoirs was published this winter Ph.D., amfAR’s vice president and director of ingredients for a vaginal microbicide to in the journal Methods, was recently offered research. n prevent HIV infection. “We didn’t have

8 INNOVATIONS, SPRING 2011 amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research www.amfar.org When Saving Money Means Saving Lives Microsaving Among Women in Vietnam

Ninh Binh province was home to Vietnam’s their lives on track. Why first imperial capital in the tenth century, but not set up a savings-and- its past glory means little to Chi Hong.* An loan—a sort of borrowing HIV-positive widow who lives with her two collective—financed and school-age children in a small village, she organized by the women cannot regularly get her AIDS medicines themselves so that they locally and must travel three hours north to could help each other the modern capital, Hanoi. Supporting her out with health-related family with a small vegetable stall, Chi Hong emergencies? struggles to scrape together enough to pay Ho made a for her trips to the doctor. Some months she suggestion: each woman has been unable to go. could put in 10,000 Chi Hong’s story is a common one Vietnamese dong each in rural areas and isolated villages across month (about $0.75), Vietnam and throughout Asia. Even when borrow against the fund healthcare is available, those under treatment if they needed to, and for HIV must often deplete their meager pay the loan back with savings to travel grueling distances, a burden only modest interest. that weighs heavily on women like Chi Hong, At the end of the year, who contracted HIV from her now-deceased group members would get HIV-postive widows in Vietnam saved money for health husband and raises her children alone. their money back with an equal share of the emergencies—and children’s school fees—through Enter the Ninh Binh savings groups. interest. collective savings groups developed by TREAT Asia. Recognizing that treatment access The women were interested but often hinges on the simple ability of patients they were wary. And so to help ensure to get to the doctor, Jennifer Ho, community transparency and accountability, the groups Thuy*, a widow whose seasonal income manager of amfAR’s TREAT Asia program, developed their own guidance on the as a rice farmer made it hard for her thought about microfinance. TREAT Asia loans they would make and the process of to pay school fees up front for her two was working closely with two HIV-positive repayment. “We suggested that not just one children, one of whom is HIV positive. women’s self-support groups in Ninh person keep all the money but maybe two “Living with HIV and bringing up children Binh province; while the women didn’t or three, and that they could decide together is very difficult,” explained Diu. “So the require money for business purposes, they who would borrow the money,” said Nguyen women agreed to lend money sometimes occasionally needed modest sums to keep Thi Diu of World Concern Vietnam, who for school fees as well.” worked with TREAT Asia After one year, the two community on the savings program. savings projects far exceeded expecta- “So then it was OK. The tions: more than 90 percent of the women women’s groups already contributed to the funds on a regularly had a strong sense of basis and they repaid 100 percent of their solidarity, but now they loans. Although the TREAT Asia project really learned to trust in Ninh Binh officially ended in 2010, the each other.” women’s community savings projects live The two Ninh on. “Our goal was to help create a stron- Binh savings groups ger community for HIV-positive women,” were established in mid- said Ho. “Now they’ve taken that goal 2009 with around 15 into their own hands.” n women in each group. Although the original *Chi Hong and Chi Thuy’s names have idea was to support been changed in this story to preserve medical care, members their privacy. soon decided to extend help to women like Chi www.amfar.org amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research INNOVATIONS, SPRING 2011 9 EVEnTS TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art

Supporters of amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art gathered for a week of events culmi- nating in a gala dinner and live auction on October 23, 2010, which raised a record $4.2 Alan Cumming gave million for the two institutions. a rousing musical Event chairs Suzanne Droese performance. and Lucilo Peña Special thanks: Sotheby’s, Talbots, Aston Martin of Dallas, GDT, Tim Headington/The Joule Hotel, Moët Hennessy USA, Neiman Marcus, todd.event design.creative services, The Snoring Center, Waldman Bros./Chubb Personal Insurance, and Jamie Niven, Chairman, Sotheby’s North and South America (Photography by Bruno)

Christopher Wool received The gala was hosted by Howard and Cindy Rachofsky, amfAR’s Award of Excellence shown at center with Stanley Tucci, the evening’s host, for Artistic Contributions to and amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole. the Fight Against AIDS.

The Inspiration Gala Los Angeles

amfAR’s Inspiration Gala was held in Los Angeles on October 27, 2010, in a celebration of men’s style. The benefi t, the amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole third in a new event series, and Adrien Brody raised nearly $400,000 for amfAR supporter Dita Von AIDS research. Teese gave a sizzling burlesque performance. Special thanks: Piaget, amfAR Global DSquared², Audi, Wilhelmina Fundraising Models (Photos: John Shearer/ Chairman Sharon WireImage, Jeff Vespa/ Stone and Kevin WireImage) Huvane served as chairs of the event. Rock icon Courtney Love performed.

Kylie Minogue hosted the evening at the Chateau Marmont.

Michael Tilson Thomas, honored with amfAR’s San Francisco Gala Award of Courage, spoke movingly about friends he Bay Area amfAR supporters had lost to AIDS. came together on November 12, 2010, for the twelfth annual San Francisco Gala, which honored Longtime amfAR supporters Marcia and John John and Marcia Goldman and Goldman, who received amfAR’s Award of Cour- Michael Tilson Thomas for their age, with their daughter Jessica Goldman Foung contributions to the fi ght against HIV/AIDS and raised nearly $350,000 for AIDS research.

Special thanks: Wells Fargo, Kaiser Permanente (Photos: Drew Altizer Photography) amfAR Ambassador Cheyenne Jackson gave a captivating performance of amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole with Carson Kressley was Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is event chair Maggie Rizer, who helped the evening’s host. Gonna Come.” with the evening’s live auction 10 INNOVATIONS, SPRING 2011 amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research www.amfar.org amfAR New York Gala

amfAR paid tribute to President Bill Clinton, Diane von Furstenberg, amfAR Founding International Chairman Dame Elizabeth Taylor, and Founding Chairman Dr. Mathilde Krim for their exceptional leadership in the struggle against HIV/ AIDS at the annual New York Gala on February 9. The benefi t, which kicked off Fashion Week, marked amfAR’s 25th anniversary and raised more than $1.4 million for AIDS research. amfAR Founding Chairman Dr. Mathilde Krim and President Bill Clinton Special thanks: Hublot, M•A•C Viva Glam, Delta Air Lines, Diageo, and the Mandarin Sir Elton John delivered a message from Oriental, New York (Photos: Larry Busacca/ Dame Elizabeth Taylor, who was unable to re- WireImage, Jemal Countess/WireImage, ceive amfAR’s Award of Courage in person: Kevin Mazur/WireImage, Jamie McCarthy/ “I am there in spirit and I join you in saluting WireImage, Andrew Walker/WireImage) my fellow honorees and all these extraordi- nary leaders. I am inspired by their example, exhilarated by their vision, and encouraged by their compassion and love.”

AIDS activist and amfAR supporter Richard Gere Longtime amfAR supporter opened the evening. Alan Cumming teamed up with Julianna Margulies for the live auction.

Rosie O’Donnell presented a special tribute to amfAR Founding Chairman Dr. Mathilde Krim.

For the fi rst time since 1988, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Elton John, and Dionne Warwick joined together for a historic reunion performance of their Grammy-winning hit “That’s What Friends Are For.” It was originally recorded as Carine Roitfeld with Diane a benefi t single for amfAR. von Furstenberg, who was honored with amfAR’s Award of Courage

Fortitude Weekend

Taylor Dayne was among the performers at Fortitude, a new LBGT benefi t weekend organized by the L Foundation, which took place February 17–21 in Ft. Lauderdale. amfAR received a $100,000 donation from the event proceeds. Chelsea Clinton, who presented the (Photo: Nancy Goldwin) Award of Courage to her father, with her husband Marc Mezvinsky and amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole

www.amfar.org amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research INNOVATIONS, SPRING 2011 11 When amfAR awarded its first research grants 25 years ago, AIDS was nearly always a death sentence. But thanks to your generosity, amfAR-funded research has helped millions of people with HIV/AIDS live longer and healthier lives.

Now, we believe a cure is within reach.

Help us find a cure with a gift of $25 in recognition of amfAR’s 25 years.

Together, we can make AIDS

history.

For more information, visit www.amfar.org. visit information, more For

Dates to be announced be to Dates *

Miami

Artists for Life for Artists 2011 4, December • •

San Francisco San

San Francisco Gala Francisco San 2011 12, November • •

Los Angeles Los

The Inspiration Gala Gala Inspiration The 2011* October • •

Dallas, Texas Dallas,

TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art and AIDS for TWO x TWO 2011 22, October • •

Milan, Italy Milan,

amfAR Milano amfAR 2011* September • •

Toronto, Canada Toronto,

Toronto

Cinema Against AIDS AIDS Against Cinema 2011 11, September • •

(with stops in Philadelphia and Boston) Boston) and Philadelphia in stops (with

120 Wall Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10005-3908 NY York, New Floor, 13th Street, Wall 120

Washington, D.C. to New York City York New to D.C. Washington,

Calendar amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research AIDS for Foundation The amfAR,

Kiehl’s Life Ride for amfAR for Ride Life Kiehl’s 2011 1–6, August • •

New York City York New

• amfAR and Elton John Foundation Fight HIV in the Americas the in HIV Fight Foundation John Elton and amfAR

The Inspiration Gala Inspiration The 2011 14, June • •

• Vienna, Austria Vienna,

Momentum Building in Cure Research Research Cure in Building Momentum

Life Ball Life 2011 21, May • •

• Remembering Dame Elizabeth Taylor Taylor Elizabeth Dame Remembering

Cap d’Antibes, France d’Antibes, Cap

InSIDE Cinema Against AIDS Against Cinema 2011 19, May • •

IONS AT OV Foundation for AIDS Research AIDS for Foundation The amfAR, of newsletter The INN SpRInG 2011 SpRInG

INNOVATIONS, SPRING 2011 amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research www.amfar.org