Clinical trials for people with HIV are currently testing treatments in six broad categories, at all stages of HIV disease. Some new trials are testing combinations of these approaches:

• Treatments intended to attack HIV at different stages of its lifecycle in order to stop or delay it damaging the immune system, such as protease inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) or entry and integrase inhibitors in combination with other antiretroviral drugs.
• Treatments intended to improve the immune system (immunomodulators), such as interleukin-2.
• Treatments for side-effects, such as lipodystrophy.
• Treatments for other infections often seen in people with HIV such as hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus.
• Screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and anal and cervical cancer.
• Vaccines intended to stimulate an immune response to HIV or other infections.