2023 Volume 72 Issue 2 Pages 90-97
The prognosis for persons living with HIV has improved significantly. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has previously been used successfully in Japan, with excellent treatment success rates and retention rates. Several factors have contributed to these improved prognoses, including improved management of opportunistic infections, establishment of health systems for HIV care, publication of the ART guidelines, provision of training, and dissemination of HIV care information. Furthermore, the emergence of new, effective, and safe anti-HIV drugs has not only improved treatment success rates, but has also resulted in the introduction of novel concepts and treatment options. It has been proven that patients on effective ART who have undetectable blood levels of HIV-1-RNA do not transmit HIV to their partners through sexual intercourse. This is known as Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U), a concept that challenges commonly held beliefs about HIV infection. There has also been an emergence of innovative therapies, such as two-drug therapy and long-acting injectable regimens. However, not all steps from HIV infection diagnosis to primary care after ART introduction have been successful. This review summarizes the current status and challenges of HIV therapy in Japan, taking into account the latest findings on ART.
