This research looked at how the immune system reacts to imiquimod in people living with HIV. The study included over 1,300 participants with HIV and about 43 without the virus. Scientists measured immune signals and gene activity to see if men and women responded differently.
Women with HIV had lower inflammatory signals compared to men with HIV. At the same time, women with HIV showed higher activity in pathways related to fighting viruses. These patterns were not seen in the same way among people without HIV.
It is important to note that this study did not report any safety issues or side effects. The group of women with HIV was much smaller than the group of men, which limits what we can conclude. Because this was an observational study, it shows a link but cannot prove that sex causes these specific immune changes.
Readers should understand this is early research focused on biological markers. It suggests doctors might need to consider sex when developing future HIV treatments. However, there is no evidence yet that this changes how patients should take their current medications.