Towards inclusive HIV cure development: Identifying important and acceptable HIV cure attributes and strategies among people with HIV in The Netherlands

  • Maaike A. J. Noorman* (Corresponding Author)
  • , John B. F. de Wit
  • , Tamika A. Marcos
  • , Sarah E. Stutterheim
  • , Thijs Albers
  • , Kai J. Jonas
  • , Chantal den Daas
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives
Initial HIV cure interventions may not meet expert-defined target product profiles (TPPs; desired treatment attributes). Understanding how people with HIV perceive ideal and likely HIV cure attributes is essential. This study examined which optimal TPP attributes people with HIV consider important and which minimum attributes and strategies they find acceptable. Additionally, it explored patterns of importance and their association with the acceptance of minimum attributes and cure strategies.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey (July 2023–March 2024) among 420 people with HIV assessed the importance of eight optimal attributes, the acceptability of fifteen minimum attributes, and five prominent cure strategies. Latent class analysis identified groups of people with different patterns of importance ratings.

Results
Optimal HIV cure attributes most frequently endorsed as important were ‘no HIV transmission risk’ (76.4%), ‘immune system recovery’ (66.4%), and ‘protection from reinfection’ (63.8%). Twelve of fifteen minimum attributes and all cure strategies were acceptable (mean > 3). Four latent classes of importance ratings emerged: exacting (N = 129, 30.7%; all attributes important), ambivalent (N = 121, 28.8%; neutral ratings), indifferent (N = 28, 6.7%; most attributes unimportant/neutral), and selective (N = 142, 35.2%; most attributes important except cure regimen-related factors). ANOVAs showed that participants with ambivalent importance patterns were less accepting of minimum attributes and strategies, while participants with indifferent importance patterns were more accepting of unacceptable minimum attributes.

Conclusions
People with HIV in the Netherlands find most HIV cure interventions acceptable, even if they do not meet optimal TPPs. However, perspectives differ across subgroups.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages17
JournalHIV Medicine
Early online date10 Dec 2025
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 10 Dec 2025

Bibliographical note

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors thank the following individuals and organizations for their contributions to this paper. First, the authors are immensely grateful to the participants who shared their time, making this research possible. The authors also extend our appreciation to the professional and community advisory board members who provided their expertise, insights and guidance throughout the research process, which greatly enhanced the quality of this study. The authors would also like to acknowledge the Hiv Vereniging (Dutch Association of people with HIV) for their support and collaboration. We want to thank everyone who helped us during the data collection process namely: the Hiv Vereniging and in particular the men of Poz and Proud, Hello Gorgeous (part of the national HIV alliance), Volle Maan, the Amsterdam municipal health service, the members of Maastricht University's HIV Lab, and HIV care providers at HIV clinics in the Netherlands. The authors would like to give special recognition to Natasja van Holten, whose enthusiasm and network were instrumental in facilitating the recruitment process. During the preparation of this work, the authors used ChatGPT and Grammarly in order to enhance clarity and conciseness in writing. After using this tool/service, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the publication.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

Funding

Aidsfonds has funded this research under Grant P-53001.

FundersFunder number
AidsfondsP-53001

    UN SDGs

    This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
      SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

    Keywords

    • community engagement
    • HIV
    • HIV cure
    • MIPA
    • people with HIV

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