The Adolescent Medicine Trials Network

The Adolescent Medicine Trials Network

ATN Era #5

2022-2030

Our current funding cycle restructured to focus on helping more youth learn their HIV status, prevent new HIV transmission, connect to HIV care, stay on treatment, and seeks to address the ongoing effects of COVID-19 on health.

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2022
2024
2025

2022

Long-Acting HIV Treatment Gets a Glow-Up

In February 2022, Cabenuva was approved for dosing every two months for adults who already have an undetectable viral load instead of every month or taking a daily pill. Do the math: instead of swallowing a pill 365 days a year, treatment drops to just six times a year.

In March 2022, the FDA approved Cabenuva for use among teens aged 12 and older who are living with HIV. 

Why It Matters

This completely changes the vibe of managing HIV. No more daily phone alarms, no more worrying about packing pill bottles for weekend trips, and way less stress. It gives youth (and adults) the freedom to just live their lives.

ATN Funding Cycle 5

2022-2030

The current cycle of the ATN focuses on 5 key goals for adolescent health:

  • Helping more youth learn their HIV status
  • Preventing new HIV transmission
  • Improving connection to HIV care
  • Supporting youth in staying on treatment
  • Addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of youth living with HIV

2024

ATN 168: HAPPY

2024-2025

Innovation

The HIV and Pregnancy Prevention for Youth (HAPPY) study examined the values and preferences young people had for a long-acting, injectable medication that would prevent both HIV and pregnancy.

Why It Matters

Currently, the only licensed multipurpose prevention product for pregnancy and HIV are condoms, yet use among adolescents is low. Adolescents may experience multiple social and structural barriers to accessing and effectively using existing pregnancy and HIV prevention products. Data from this study could inform the development of a new product.

Findings coming soon!

CDC Releases DoxyPEP Guidelines

In June 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines for DoxyPEP (which stands for doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis).

Think of DoxyPEP kind of like a morning-after pill, but for preventing bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Right now, the CDC’s guidelines are for certain populations, like gay and bisexual men.

Why It Matters

The stats don’t lie. Taking DoxyPEP after exposure significantly reduces men’s chances of getting syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea by 50-80%. It’s a total game-changer for protecting sexual health.

However, more research is needed before more populations, like women, can have access to DoxyPEP.

2025

Twice-A-Year PrEP Injection Changes HIV Prevention

In June 2025, the FDA approved a brand-new type of HIV prevention medication called Yeztugo (lenacapavir), a long-acting injection.

The ATN’s Impact

The ATN was planning to study how well lenacapavir worked for youth (ATN 169), but instead the adult clinical trials opted to include adolescents, too!

Why It Matters

Yeztugo is the first long-acting HIV prevention medication, requiring only two doses per year. It had a 100% effectiveness rate in clinical trials with thousands of participants.

Remembering to take a pill consistently is a lot of pressure, and missing doses makes oral PrEP less effective. Yeztugo provides a crucial alternative to daily oral PrEP that can increase adherence.

ATN Era #1
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ATN Era #4
ATN Era #1
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ATN Era #3
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