Advances in therapy for the prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child

Introduction: Actually, ~17.8 million women and 1.8 million children (90%) resulted from ‘HIV mother-to-child transmission’ (MTCT), both in pregnancy, labour, delivery and later by breastfeeding. Due to its high pediatric incidence, MTCT represents a public health concern. 15 Areas covered: In this review, we focus on available treatments and antiretroviral drugs recommended by the World Health Organization, and the main clinical investigations in antiretroviral pharmacotherapy to prevent the MTCT. Expert opinion: The MTCT has been improved dramatically in the last few years mainly due to prophylactic perinatal antiretroviral therapy for pregnant women living with HIV. However, there is 20 still a milestone to reach since HIV MTCT remains as a public health challenge associated with MTCT though breastfeeding (post-natal transmission). In this context, different strategies could be employed as an attempt to reduce pediatric HIV infections. One of them involves the improvement of patient adherence to the HIV therapy. One possible solution is the development of novel long-acting formulations for prophylaxis of mothers and children, and a second possible solution is increase the inclusion of 25 mothers and infants in care programs to more effectively prevent the vertical transmission.Fil: Moretton, Marcela Analía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Bertera, Facundo Martin. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Lagomarsino, Eduardo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Riedel, Jennifer Denise. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Chiappetta, Diego Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Höcht, Christian. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentin