Is a HIV Cure Possible? A Panel Discussion on HIV Cure Research

On October 1st, CIRM along with the AIDS Research Institute and the Gladstone Institutes hosted an inspiring public forum in San Francisco about the current state of HIV cure research.

This portion of the event includes a panel discussion with a distinguished lineup of clinicians, researchers and advocates, many of whom have dedicated their life’s work toward finding a cure for HIV infection.  In the other portion of the forum, the speakers gave brief presentations on their research.

Although antiretroviral therapy has dramatically extended the life of HIV infected individuals, the life-long daily regimen of pills is not a cure. The drugs’ side effects lead to various complications such as increased incidence of heart disease and cancer that significantly reduces lifespans.

Based on this reality, the recent isolated reports of individuals being cured of HIV infection have brought a lot of excitement as well as cautiousness. That’s what motivated this forum: to provide an interface between HIV experts and the community to ask, are we there yet with a HIV cure?

In addition to these videos, also visit our HIV/AIDS fact sheet to learn more about CIRM-funded projects related to HIV research.