Integrating socio-behavioral, ethics, community, and translational science considerations in HIV cure research.

Abstract

Purpose of review: HIV cure research efforts are expanding globally, yet several critical areas in the socio-behavioral, ethics, community engagement, and translational aspects remain underexplored. This article critically reviews the relevant literature from the past 5 years (2021-2025), highlights key gaps, and offers recommendations for future research.

Recent findings: The multidisciplinary literature on HIV cure research is expanding, but urgent attention is required in several areas. These include the integration of socio-behavioral, ethics, and community engagement perspectives into HIV cure trials, with an increased emphasis on translation to resource-limited settings. The intersection of socio-behavioral sciences, ethics, and translational science requires more tailored research to ensure the deployment of socially impactful interventions.

Summary: Critical areas for further research include: increased scholarship in socio-behavioral sciences and ethics alongside scientific advancements in HIV cure research; expanding formative research in resource-limited settings and enhancing integration within analytical treatment interruption (ATI)-inclusive trials; continued implementation of the behavioral and social sciences research functional framework and evidence-based approaches into trial designs; strengthening psychosocial support and ethical frameworks for trial participants; and redressing power imbalances between scientific disciplines, ensuring socio-behavioral, ethics and community considerations are central, not secondary, to HIV cure research efforts worldwide.