New study to
examine race, gender, and HIV treatment

A new study by Philadelphia doctor Kathleen Squires seeks to be the first major exploration of ways in which HIV/AIDS treatment affects people differently based upon race and gender, the Philadelphia Gay News reported Friday.

Squires's GRACE study will start next month with space for approximately 420 participants, 70% of whom will be women, a major accomplishment in the world of AIDS studies and drug trials.

"We've really strived to include not only women but also a racial diversity that is representative of actual HIV infection. We're looking at the safety and efficacy of a commonly prescribed antiretroviral agent called Darunavir," said Squires, a professor of medicine and director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Jefferson Medical College. "If you look at the history of the HIV population, the greatest concentration of the virus was found in gay men. But as the disease has evolved, we've seen a sizable increase in the female and nonwhite population. Our challenge now is to recognize and address these populations. We need to include these people and pay attention to changes if we want to understand how to use HIV drugs properly."

Squires hopes the findings of this study will inspire further research and change conventional thinking about HIV treatment and the changing faces of the infected population. (The Advocate)