Achieving the global agenda toward HIV cure calls for establishing a research-for-cure academy in West and Central Africa

Despite global efforts to eliminate HIV as a public health threat, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) still harbours about the highest burden of the pandemic, home to around 70 % of people living with HIV with limited contribution in the field of HIV cure research, especially in West and Central Africa (WCA). This gap is mainly due to challenges that researchers of this region are facing in initiating and advancing HIV cure research locally, with lesser commitment from the French-speaking countries. Furthermore, capacity-building of early career scientists on HIV cure research remains constrained due to limited awareness and language barriers to existing opportunities. Even though HIV non-B subtypes represent 89 % of circulating subtypes worldwide, cure research has been extensively focused on subtype B (prevalent in America and Europe). Interestingly, WCA (known as HIV pandemic epicentre with a broad genetic diversity) offers a unique landscape for cure research with a likelihood of generalisability across various HIV subtypes. This viewpoint discusses the importance of establishing an HIV Cure Academy for WCA to support scientists, policymakers and community stakeholders from French-speaking countries in contributing to the global efforts towards HIV cure. Building on discussions, the establishment of an "HIV Cure Academy" emerges as a hallmark to: (i) raise awareness, (ii) build capacity, (iii) address scientific gaps, (iv) develop networks, and (v) foster advocacy and policy-briefing on integrating HIV cure research into national HIV agenda. The Academy is envisioned as a hub, facilitating relationships between community-based organizations, people living with HIV (PLHIV), research institutions and decision makers. This hub will also champion the "Advocacy for Cure" agenda in the sub-region, enhance multidisciplinary approach to identify local HIV cure research priorities that address the global problem. Of prime importance, research priorities in WCA include: (i) the measurement and characterization of viral reservoirs; (ii) investigation in immune responses including bNAbs, T-cell function, cytokines profiles and hosts genetic factors; (iii) identification of elite and post-treatment controllers; (iv) development of accessible technologies for point-of-care HIV DNA testing, biomarker detection, and latency-modifying agents to support functional cure strategies; (v) innovation in cost-effective and scalable therapeutic interventions suitable for low-resource settings; (vi) the strengthen of community involvement through citizen science, address ethical considerations, and engage PLHIV in the co-design of cure research initiatives; (vii) the establishment of regional training platforms, such as a Research-for-Cure Academy, to enhance scientific capacity and collaboration in West and Central Africa. Following the model of the International AIDS Society (IAS) Research-for-cure academy, the WCA HIV Cure Academy represents a key hub in achieving the goals of HIV cure, through local actions that contribute to addressing a global problem.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Virus Eradication
Published
2025-06-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jve.2025.100603
Primary Topic
HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Achieving the global agenda toward HIV cure calls for establishing a research-for-cure academy in West and Central Africa

Célestin Godwe, Chatté Adawaye, Djibril Wade, Charles Kouanfack et al.
Journal of Virus Eradication
HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
article

Achieving the global agenda toward HIV cure calls for establishing a research-for-cure academy in West and Central Africa

Célestin Godwe, Chatté Adawaye, Djibril Wade, Charles Kouanfack, Erick Ntambwe Kamangu, Alex Durand Nka, Souleymane Tassembédo, Abou Abdallah Malick Diouara, Deborah Persaud, Karine Dubé, Elvis Temfack, Christian Diamant Mossoro‐Kpinde, Ezéchiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue, Vittorio Colizzi, Denis Maulot-Bangola, Thumbi Ndung’u, Laure Stella Ghoma Linguissi, Nicaise Ndembi, Almoustapha-Issiaka Maiga, Sofonías K. Tessema, Yagaï Bouba, Diana Boraschi, Rogers Ajeh Awoh, Steven G. Deeks, Christian Mangala, Alexis Ndjolo, R. Brad Jones, Naomi-Karell Etame, Joseph Fokam, Aubin Nanfack, Caroline T. Tiemessen, Gregory Halle‐Ekane, Collins Ambe Chenwi, Aude Christelle Ka’e, Krista L. Dong, Marcel Tongo, Livo F. Esemu, Carlo Federico Perno, Honoré Awanakan, Thomas d’Aquin Toni, Romeo Djounda, Hillary Tene, Lum Forgwei, Fon Abongwa Acho, Caroline Mofor, Mambo Musi Beryle, Benoit Bissohong, Jang Joanes T, Mobereade Ayokamnmi
article en

Abstract

Despite global efforts to eliminate HIV as a public health threat, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) still harbours about the highest burden of the pandemic, home to around 70 % of people living with HIV with limited contribution in the field of HIV cure research, especially in West and Central Africa (WCA). This gap is mainly due to challenges that researchers of this region are facing in initiating and advancing HIV cure research locally, with lesser commitment from the French-speaking countries. Furthermore, capacity-building of early career scientists on HIV cure research remains constrained due to limited awareness and language barriers to existing opportunities. Even though HIV non-B subtypes represent 89 % of circulating subtypes worldwide, cure research has been extensively focused on subtype B (prevalent in America and Europe). Interestingly, WCA (known as HIV pandemic epicentre with a broad genetic diversity) offers a unique landscape for cure research with a likelihood of generalisability across various HIV subtypes. This viewpoint discusses the importance of establishing an HIV Cure Academy for WCA to support scientists, policymakers and community stakeholders from French-speaking countries in contributing to the global efforts towards HIV cure. Building on discussions, the establishment of an "HIV Cure Academy" emerges as a hallmark to: (i) raise awareness, (ii) build capacity, (iii) address scientific gaps, (iv) develop networks, and (v) foster advocacy and policy-briefing on integrating HIV cure research into national HIV agenda. The Academy is envisioned as a hub, facilitating relationships between community-based organizations, people living with HIV (PLHIV), research institutions and decision makers. This hub will also champion the "Advocacy for Cure" agenda in the sub-region, enhance multidisciplinary approach to identify local HIV cure research priorities that address the global problem. Of prime importance, research priorities in WCA include: (i) the measurement and characterization of viral reservoirs; (ii) investigation in immune responses including bNAbs, T-cell function, cytokines profiles and hosts genetic factors; (iii) identification of elite and post-treatment controllers; (iv) development of accessible technologies for point-of-care HIV DNA testing, biomarker detection, and latency-modifying agents to support functional cure strategies; (v) innovation in cost-effective and scalable therapeutic interventions suitable for low-resource settings; (vi) the strengthen of community involvement through citizen science, address ethical considerations, and engage PLHIV in the co-design of cure research initiatives; (vii) the establishment of regional training platforms, such as a Research-for-Cure Academy, to enhance scientific capacity and collaboration in West and Central Africa. Following the model of the International AIDS Society (IAS) Research-for-cure academy, the WCA HIV Cure Academy represents a key hub in achieving the goals of HIV cure, through local actions that contribute to addressing a global problem.

Journal of Virus EradicationVol. 11(3)
University of Rome Tor Vergata (IT), University of N'Djamena (TD), Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (US), Université de Yaoundé I (CM), University of Buea (CM), Johns Hopkins University (US), University of California, San Francisco (US), National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (PK), Cornell University (US), Society for Family Health Nigeria (NG), Johns Hopkins Medicine (US), UC San Diego Health System (US), Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard (US), University of Kinshasa (CD), University of California San Diego (US), Centre International De Reference Chantal Biya (CM), Laboratoire National de Santé Publique du Congo (CG), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ET), Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (ML), University of Bangui (CF), Relief International (US), Institute of Health Research, Epidemiological Surveillance and Training (SN), Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (IT), Société de Développement des Forêts (CI), Institute of Human Virology (NG), Africa Health Research Institute (ZA), WWF Cameroon (CM), Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (CN), Centre Muraz (BF), Weill Cornell Medicine (US), University College London (GB), Cheikh Anta Diop University (SN)
Openalex Percentile: Top 81%
HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.