Events

15 Aug 2016

Public Open Forums - Immunology and Aging: Lessons Learnt for HIV

Registrations are now open for ICI 2016 Public Open Forum on Immunology and Aging: Lessons Learnt for HIV.

The development of highly active anti-retroviral therapy is one of modern medicine’s greatest achievements.  Better treatments means people living with HIV are living for much longer and the virus is now considered a manageable chronic condition in many parts of the world. 

However, we know that aging with HIV is not the same as aging without HIV and that the virus makes fundamental changes to the immune system, meaning people living with the virus have an increase in the risk of developing age-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, kidney and liver disease, osteoporosis and cognitive impairment, years before those living without HIV.

With over 35 million people living with HIV globally, public health systems will need to quickly adapt to meet the needs of this population as they age, and more science, especially in the area of immunology, is required to inform this response. 

Further research in this area is expected to not only improve the lives of people with HIV, but also provide advances in the treatment of age-related disease and conditions for all.   Understanding aging with HIV gives a vital insight into an aging immune system at the cellular, organ, system and individual levels. 

Panel members include: Prof Sharon Lewin,  Dr Alan Landay, Prof Suzanne Crowe, Dr Clovis Palmer and Bill O’laughlin.