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The Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR) is a regional register of clinical trials conducted in Africa. The registry is an African initiative serving the needs of Africans. It provides an open-access platform where clinical trials can be registered free of charge. The PACTR aims to increase clinical trial registration in Africa by developing awareness of the need to register trials and supporting trialists during registration. The PACTR has made a few enhancements to improve access and functionality of the registry:

1. A new PACTR registry URL has been created : https://pactr.samrc.ac.za
2.  New filters to allow researchers easily track the status of their trials : “submitted”; “in progress”; “approved”; “denied” or “incomplete” have been added. Researchers can use the filters to only search and view the specific status of their trials.

Based on new evidence assessing benefits and risks, the WHO recommends the use of the HIV drug dolutegravir (DTG) as the preferred first-line and second-line treatment for all populations, including pregnant women and those of childbearing potential.  

Initial studies had highlighted a possible link between DTG and neural tube defects (birth defects of the brain and spinal cord that cause conditions such as spina bifida) in infants born to women using the drug at the time of conception. This potential safety concern was reported in May 2018 from a study in Botswana that found 4 cases of neural tube defects out of 426 women who became pregnant while taking DTG. Based on these preliminary findings, many countries advised pregnant women and women of childbearing potential to take efavirenz (EFV) instead.

New data from two large clinical trials comparing the efficacy and safety of DTG and EFV in Africa have now expanded the evidence base. The risks of neural tube defects are significantly lower than what the initial studies may have suggested. DTG is a drug that is more effective, easier to take and has fewer side effects than alternative drugs that are currently used. DTG also has a high genetic barrier to developing drug resistance, which is important given the rising trend of resistance to EFV and nevirapine-based regimens. In 2019, 12 out of 18 countries surveyed by WHO reported pre-treatment drug resistance levels exceeding the recommended threshold of 10%.

WHO press release: https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/22-07-2019-who-recommends-dolutegravir-as-preferred-hiv-treatment-option-in-all-populations

WHO Guideines 2019: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/325892/WHO-CDS-HIV-19.15-eng.pdf

Day 3 of INTEREST 2021 is dedicated to the late Prof. Charles Boucher, who sadly passed away in February of this year.

Alongside the late Dr. Joep Lange, Charles founded the INTEREST conference in 2007 to bring together a multidisciplinary team of experts who could share knowledge and establish partnerships with the ultimate aim of improving the life quality of people living with HIV across the African continent.

The third day of this year's conference will feature memorial lectures focusing on HIV epidemiological trends, the evolution of HIV treatment to date and changes in how HIV healthcare services are being delivered in the region. Delegates can expect to take part in interactive sessions exploring the management of drug resistance, virological failure and the future of PrEP in Africa.
 
Charles' love for teaching, particularly in regards to educating young researchers, was well known. This final day of INTEREST 2021 features a mentorship session, with the day specifically targeted towards young investigators.
 
We invite you to join us in honouring Charles' memory at INTEREST 2021 and contributing to the cross-disciplinary discussion on HIV treatment, pathogenesis and prevention throughout Africa.The third day of this year's conference will feature memorial lectures focusing on HIV epidemiological trends, the evolution of HIV treatment to date and changes in how HIV healthcare services are being delivered in the region. Delegates can expect to take part in interactive sessions exploring the management of drug resistance, virological failure and the future of PrEP in Africa.
 
Charles' love for teaching, particularly in regards to educating young researchers, was well known. This final day of INTEREST 2021 features a mentorship session, with the day specifically targeted towards young investigators.
 
We invite you to join us in honouring Charles' memory at INTEREST 2021 and contributing to the cross-disciplinary discussion on HIV treatment, pathogenesis and prevention throughout Africa.

To register visit https://virology.eventsair.com/interest-2021/registration/Site/Register