1
|
Dubé K, Ndukwe SO, Korolkova A, Dee L, Sugarman J, Sauceda JA. Participant experiences in a combination HIV cure-related trial with extended analytical treatment interruption in San Francisco, United States. HIV Res Clin Pract 2024; 25:2312318. [PMID: 38348830 PMCID: PMC10951555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited systematic information available about the perspectives of participants enrolled in intensive combination HIV cure-related trials inclusive of an extended analytical treatment interruption (ATI). OBJECTIVE To assess and understand experiences of people with HIV involved in a combination HIV cure-related trial with an extended ATI. METHODS The trial included five interventions and was followed by an ATI lasting up to 52 wk. From 2022 - 2023, we conducted in-depth interviews with study participants following their extended ATIs. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via conventional thematic analysis. RESULTS We interviewed seven participants. The majority were male, White, and non-Hispanic, with a median age of 37 years. Trust in the research team, scientific altruism and hope of becoming a post-intervention controller were key motivators for joining the trial. Interviewees reported being satisfied with their decision to participate in the trial and the extended ATI. Most recounted feelings of worry related to viral rebound during the ATI. Participants reported both defeat and relief with ART restart. Four faced challenges with protecting partners from HIV during their ATI, such as trying to find out if their partner(s) were using pre-exposure prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate potential improvements for future ATI trial participant experiences, such as more robust resources for psychosocial support and partner protections. Dedicating greater effort to understanding participant ATI experiences can inform the design of future participant-centered HIV cure trial protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karine Dubé
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health
(IDGPH), Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La
Jolla, CA, USA
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Samuel O. Ndukwe
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health
(IDGPH), Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La
Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ana Korolkova
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health
(IDGPH), Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La
Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lynda Dee
- AIDS Action Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Delaney AIDS Research Enterprise (DARE) Community
Engagement Coordinator, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy Sugarman
- Johns Hopkins Berman Institute for Bioethics, Baltimore,
MD, USA
| | - John A. Sauceda
- Division of Prevention Science, Center for AIDS Prevention
Studies (CAPS), San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bilger A, Plenn E, Barg FK, Rendle KA, Carter WB, Lamour-Harrington A, Jones N, Peterson B, Sauceda JA, Tebas P, Mounzer K, Metzger D, Montaner LJ, Dubé K. Participant experiences in HIV cure-directed trial with an extended analytical treatment interruption in Philadelphia, United States. HIV Res Clin Pract 2023; 24:2267825. [PMID: 37837376 PMCID: PMC10634456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A feature of HIV cure trials is the need to interrupt treatment to test the efficacy of experimental interventions-a process known as analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs). OBJECTIVES We report the experiences of participants after they completed an extended ATI. METHODS From April to November 2022, we conducted post-ATI in-depth interviews with BEAT2 clinical trial (NCT03588715) participants who stopped ART while receiving an immunotherapy regimen. We used conventional content analysis to code the data. RESULTS We conducted interviews with 11 Black/African American and three White/Caucasian participants (11 males, two females, and one transgender woman). The mean ATI was 38 weeks. Participants noted several significant experiences surrounding the interventions' side effects, ATI, and returning to medication. Some participants had positive experiences with their ATI. Other participants were nervous during the ATI. Rising viral loads led some to feel a sense of failure. Although trial experiences were heterogeneous, participants unanimously had positive interactions with the clinical trial staff which facilitated their retention in the trial. Participants shared their experiences with the trial, including changes in expectations, experiences with experimental interventions and procedures, compensation as a measure of respect, effort, transportation, and effects of COVID-19 during the trial. Based on these results, we provide considerations for the conduct of future HIV cure-directed clinical trials involving ATIs. CONCLUSIONS Managing expectations, focusing on participants' contributions, and providing support to reduce feelings of having failed the research team and/or the HIV community following viral rebound should be part of HIV cure trial design. Discussing the mental health impact of rebound during consent, distinct from risk, is needed. Continued efforts to understand how people with HIV experience ATIs will improve future designs of HIV cure clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bilger
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Eion Plenn
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Frances K. Barg
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Katharine A. Rendle
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - William B. Carter
- BEAT-HIV Delaney Collaboratory Community Advisory Board, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Nora Jones
- BEAT-HIV Delaney Collaboratory Community Advisory Board, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - John A. Sauceda
- Division of Prevention Sciences, Department of Medicine, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Pablo Tebas
- Hospital of the University of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Karam Mounzer
- Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David Metzger
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | | | - Karine Dubé
- University of California San Diego School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dubé K, Agarwal H, Stockman JK, Auerbach JD, Sauceda JA, Conroy AA, Johnson MO. "I Would Absolutely Need to Know That My Partner Is Still Going to be Protected": Perceptions of HIV Cure-Related Research Among Diverse HIV Serodifferent Couples in the United States. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2023; 39:400-413. [PMID: 35972752 PMCID: PMC10387158 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2022.0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Most HIV cure studies remain in the early stage of investigation and may carry clinical risks to the participants and, in some cases, their partners. Surprisingly little sociobehavioral research has investigated the perceptions of couples-including HIV serodifferent couples-around HIV cure research, including factors that would influence recruitment and retention in trials. We conducted a qualitative study to explore perceptions of diverse HIV serodifferent partners in the United States. We recruited 10 diverse HIV serodifferent couples (20 participants). We found participants had learned to cope with the reality of HIV, including protections during sex, and ascribed both positive and negative meanings to an HIV cure. Partners expressed concern about each other's health and potentially caring for a sick partner and emphasized the importance of safety when participating in an HIV cure trial. They identified the need for partner protection measures during analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs) as an ethical imperative. Participants recounted experiences of HIV stigma due to being in HIV serodifferent relationships and viewed ATIs as leading to a detectable viral load, which could limit sexual expression, complicate disclosure decision making, and worsen HIV-related stigma. Our study's main contribution is to inform efforts to meaningfully engage diverse HIV serodifferent partners in HIV cure research in the United States. Our data suggest people with HIV make decisions to participate in research based on close ones in their life and underscore the critical importance of acknowledging relationship dynamics in decisions to participate in research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karine Dubé
- Health Policy and Management, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina USA
| | - Harsh Agarwal
- Health Policy and Management, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina USA
| | - Jamila K. Stockman
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), San Diego, California, USA
| | - Judith D. Auerbach
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - John A. Sauceda
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Amy A. Conroy
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mallory O. Johnson
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Neergaard R, Jones NL, Roebuck C, Rendle KA, Barbati Z, Peterson B, Tebas P, Mounzer K, Metzger D, Montaner LJ, Dube K, Barg FK. "I Know That I Was a Part of Making a Difference": Participant Motivations for Joining a Cure-Directed HIV Trial with an Analytical Treatment Interruption. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2023; 39:414-421. [PMID: 35979886 PMCID: PMC10389247 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2022.0040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Analytical treatment interruption (ATI), defined as a closely monitored clinical pause in antiretroviral therapy (ART), is a core component of many HIV cure-directed clinical studies. ATIs may cause significant physical and psychosocial risks for people living with HIV and, as a result, integrating participant and community perspectives into clinical trial designs that include an ATI is crucial to ensuring a successful and person-centered trial. We conducted semi-structured interviews with participants enrolling in the BEAT-2 cure-directed trial (NCT03588715). Interviews elicited participant motivations and decision-making processes for trial participation along with participants' perceptions of the ATI. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a directed content analysis. Fourteen of 15 trial participants completed interviews. The majority were Black (79%) cisgender male (79%). Participants noted several significant motivating factors contributing to their desire to enroll in the HIV cure-directed clinical trial, the most prominent being a desire to find a cure for HIV and help others in the HIV community. HIV care teams were the most commonly identified resource for patients when making the decision to enroll in the trial, and family, friends, and romantic partners also played a significant role. Altruism was a primary motivation for participation, although participants also shared interest in learning about HIV science and research. Participants had a strong understanding of trial procedures and displayed significant trust in the study team to keep them informed and healthy during their participation. The ATI was a significant source of anxiety for participants. Their primary worry was that their prior antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen would no longer be effective once they resumed ART. Despite these concerns, participants shared considerable excitement for continued participation in the trial and being a part of the search toward an HIV cure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Neergaard
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nora L. Jones
- Center for Urban Bioethics, Temple University Ringgold Standard Institution, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- BEAT-HIV Collaboratory Community Advisory Board (CAB), Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher Roebuck
- BEAT-HIV Collaboratory Community Advisory Board (CAB), Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Anthropology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Katharine A. Rendle
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Zoe Barbati
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Beth Peterson
- BEAT-HIV Collaboratory Community Advisory Board (CAB), Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Pablo Tebas
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Karam Mounzer
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Metzger
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Luis J. Montaner
- BEAT-HIV Collaboratory Community Advisory Board (CAB), Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Karine Dube
- UNC Gillings School of Global Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Frances K. Barg
- Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sugarman J, Clark A, Fishkin J, Kato K, McCormack K, Munsie M, Peluso MJ, René N, Solomon SL. Critical considerations for public engagement in stem cell-related research. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:420-426. [PMID: 36736324 PMCID: PMC10242349 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Public engagement is increasingly recognized as being integral to basic and translational research. Public engagement involves effective communication about research along with the mutual exchange of views and opinions among a wide variety of members in society. As such, public engagement can help to identify issues that must be addressed in order for research to be ethically sound and trustworthy. It is especially critical in research that potentially raises ethical concerns, for example research involving embryos, germline genome editing, stigmatized conditions, and marginalized communities. Therefore, it is not surprising that there have been prominent recent calls for public engagement in the emerging sciences. However, given that there is arguably little agreement about how this should be done and the best ways of doing so, those involved with planning and implementing public engagement can benefit from understanding a broad range of prior experiences on related issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Sugarman
- Berman Institute of Bioethics and Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 1809 Ashland Avenue, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Amander Clark
- Department of Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology and Center for Reproductive Science, Health and Education, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - James Fishkin
- Department of Communication and Deliberative Democracy Lab, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kazuto Kato
- Department of Biomedical Ethics and Public Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Kevin McCormack
- California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Megan Munsie
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael J Peluso
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Susan L Solomon
- New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bailón L, Llano A, Cedeño S, Escribà T, Rosás-Umbert M, Parera M, Casadellà M, Lopez M, Pérez F, Oriol-Tordera B, Ruiz-Riol M, Coll J, Perez F, Rivero À, Leselbaum AR, McGowan I, Sengupta D, Wee EG, Hanke T, Paredes R, Alarcón-Soto Y, Clotet B, Noguera-Julian M, Brander C, Molto J, Mothe B, Benet S, Cobarsi P, Geleziunas R, Leselbaum AR, Loste C, Meulbroek M, Miranda C, Muñoz J, Naval J, Nieto A, Pujol F, Puig J. Safety, immunogenicity and effect on viral rebound of HTI vaccines in early treated HIV-1 infection: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 1 trial. Nat Med 2022; 28:2611-2621. [PMID: 36302893 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-022-02060-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
HIVACAT T-cell immunogen (HTI) is a novel human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine immunogen designed to elicit cellular immune responses to HIV targets associated with viral control in humans. The AELIX-002 trial was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate as a primary objective the safety of a combination of DNA.HTI (D), MVA.HTI (M) and ChAdOx1.HTI (C) vaccines in 45 early-antiretroviral (ART)-treated individuals (44 men, 1 woman; NCT03204617). Secondary objectives included T-cell immunogenicity, the effect on viral rebound and the safety of an antiretroviral treatment interruption (ATI). Adverse events were mostly mild and transient. No related serious adverse events were observed. We show here that HTI vaccines were able to induce strong, polyfunctional and broad CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses. All participants experienced detectable viral rebound during ATI, and resumed ART when plasma HIV-1 viral load reached either >100,000 copies ml-1, >10,000 copies ml-1 for eight consecutive weeks, or after 24 weeks of ATI. In post-hoc analyses, HTI vaccines were associated with a prolonged time off ART in vaccinees without beneficial HLA (human leukocyte antigen) class I alleles. Plasma viral load at the end of ATI and time off ART positively correlated with vaccine-induced HTI-specific T-cell responses at ART cessation. Despite limited efficacy of the vaccines in preventing viral rebound, their ability to elicit robust T-cell responses towards HTI may be beneficial in combination cure strategies, which are currently being tested in clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Bailón
- Fundació Lluita Contra les Infeccions, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Anuska Llano
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Samandhy Cedeño
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tuixent Escribà
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Rosás-Umbert
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mariona Parera
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Casadellà
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miriam Lopez
- Fundació Lluita Contra les Infeccions, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Pérez
- Fundació Lluita Contra les Infeccions, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bruna Oriol-Tordera
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Ruiz-Riol
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Josep Coll
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Projecte Dels Noms-Hispanosida, Bcn Checkpoint, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Felix Perez
- Projecte Dels Noms-Hispanosida, Bcn Checkpoint, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Àngel Rivero
- Projecte Dels Noms-Hispanosida, Bcn Checkpoint, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anne R Leselbaum
- Projecte Dels Noms-Hispanosida, Bcn Checkpoint, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ian McGowan
- AELIX Therapeutics S.L, Barcelona, Spain.,University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Edmund G Wee
- The Jenner Institute, The Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tomáš Hanke
- The Jenner Institute, The Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Roger Paredes
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Centre for Health and Social Care Research (CESS), Faculty of Medicine. University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic - UCC), Vic, Barcelona, Spain.,Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institte, Badalona, Spain
| | - Yovaninna Alarcón-Soto
- Fundació Lluita Contra les Infeccions, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,Departament d'Estadística I Investigació Operativa, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya/BARCELONATECH, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bonaventura Clotet
- Fundació Lluita Contra les Infeccions, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Centre for Health and Social Care Research (CESS), Faculty of Medicine. University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic - UCC), Vic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Noguera-Julian
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Centre for Health and Social Care Research (CESS), Faculty of Medicine. University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic - UCC), Vic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christian Brander
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,AELIX Therapeutics S.L, Barcelona, Spain.,Centre for Health and Social Care Research (CESS), Faculty of Medicine. University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic - UCC), Vic, Barcelona, Spain.,ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Molto
- Fundació Lluita Contra les Infeccions, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain. .,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain. .,Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institte, Badalona, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Mothe
- Fundació Lluita Contra les Infeccions, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.,CIBERINFEC, ISCIII, Madrid, Spain.,Centre for Health and Social Care Research (CESS), Faculty of Medicine. University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic - UCC), Vic, Barcelona, Spain.,Germans Trias I Pujol Research Institte, Badalona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Participant experiences using novel home-based blood collection device for viral load testing in the HIV cure trials with analytical treatment interruptions. HIV Res Clin Pract 2022; 23:76-90. [PMID: 35968737 PMCID: PMC9403870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background: HIV cure-directed clinical trials using analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs) require participants to adhere to frequent monitoring visits for viral load tests. Novel viral load monitoring strategies are needed to decrease participant burden during ATIs.Objective: To examine acceptability of a novel home-based blood collection device for viral load testing in the context of two ongoing ATI trials in Philadelphia, PA, United States.Methods: From January 2021 to February 2022, participants completed three in-depth interviews via teleconference during their participation in an ATI: (1) within two weeks of enrollment in the device study, (2) approximately four weeks after beginning to use the device, and (3) within two weeks of the end of the ATI when ART was re-initiated. We used conventional content analysis to analyze the data.Results: We recruited 17 participants: 15 were cisgender males, 1 cisgender female, and 1 transgender woman. We observed an overall 87% success rate in drawing blood with the device from home collection and found overall high acceptance of the device. A mean of 91.5 devices per participant were used for home-based blood collection. Most PWH viewed the device as relatively convenient, painless, easy to use, and a simple solution to frequent blood draws. The main challenge encountered was the inability to completely fill up devices with blood in some cases. Most participants reported positive experiences with mailing blood samples and could see themselves using the device on a regular basis outside of ATIs.Conclusions: Our study showed participant valued the novel home-based peripheral blood collection for viral load testing in the context of ATI trials. More research will be necessary to optimize implementation of the device and to assess whether blood collected can reliably measure viral loads in the context of ATI trials.
Collapse
|
8
|
Sylla L, Patel H, Louella M, Simoni J, Dubé K. Community HIV clinicians' perceptions about HIV cure-related research in the Northwestern United States. HIV Res Clin Pract 2022; 23:61-75. [PMID: 35904107 PMCID: PMC9836364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Background: Research on stakeholder perspectives of HIV cure research has involved people with HIV (PWH), who generally cite the importance of HIV clinician advice in making decisions about trial participation. However, there has been little exploration of non-researcher community HIV clinician perspectives, which are clearly critical to the success of HIV cure-related research.Objective: We aimed to learn how community HIV clinicians perceive HIV cure research and identify factors that would lead them to support or discourage HIV cure trial participation by their patients.Methods: We recruited a purposive sample of 12 community HIV clinicians in metro-Seattle, WA to participate in structured interviews. We completed 11 interviews via teleconference and received one written response. We used conventional content analysis to analyze the data.Results: Overall, community HIV clinicians were supportive of patient participation in HIV cure trials. Factors affecting support included knowledge of local trials, ease of referral, patient immune function and health stability, study risks and benefits, burden of study requirements, patient characteristics, patient life stability, potential impact on engagement in care, study communication plans, and beliefs that patients should have the autonomy to decide to participate. Participants had concerns about trials requiring treatment delays or interruptions and HIV transmission risk. While their knowledge of the field was limited, they were interested in learning more about open HIV cure trials.Conclusions: It would benefit the HIV cure research community if those leading HIV cure trials make stronger efforts to engage community clinicians who care for PWH, but are not active researchers, early in the trial design process. Such engagement prior to launching HIV cure trials will improve trial designs, leading to better enrollment and retention within these important studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurie Sylla
- defeatHIV Collaboratory, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, E5-110, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA,University of Washington, School of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Mountain West AIDS Education & Training Center, Mailstop 359932, Seattle, WA 98104
| | - Hursch Patel
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, 4108 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Michael Louella
- defeatHIV Collaboratory, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, E5-110, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Jane Simoni
- University of Washington, Departments of Psychology and Global Health, 3909 Stevens Way CE, Box 351525, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Karine Dubé
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, 4108 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Campbell DM, Dubé K, Cowlings PD, Dionicio P, Tam RM, Agarwal H, Stockman JK, Auerbach JD, Sauceda JA, Conroy AA, Johnson MO. "It comes altogether as one:" perceptions of analytical treatment interruptions and partner protections among racial, ethnic, sex and gender diverse HIV serodifferent couples in the United States. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1317. [PMID: 35810288 PMCID: PMC9270765 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13528-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most HIV cure-related studies involve interrupting antiretroviral treatment to assess the efficacy of pharmacologic interventions - also known as analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs). ATIs imply the risk of passing HIV to sexual partners due to the loss of undetectable HIV status. There has been a notable lack of attention paid to perceptions of ATIs among racial, ethnic, sex and gender minorities, and HIV serodifferent couples. These populations are among those most impacted by HIV in the United States. Future HIV cure research paradigms should equitably include considerations from these groups. METHODS From August - October 2020, we conducted in-depth interviews with 10 racial, ethnic, sex, and gender minority HIV serodifferent couples in geographically diverse regions of the United States to understand their perspectives about ATIs and partner protection measures to prevent secondary HIV transmissions because of participation in ATI studies. We used framework analysis to analyze the qualitative data. RESULTS Of the 10 couples recruited, four identified as a gay couple, two as a gay and bisexual couple, two as a heterosexual couple, one as a gay and queer couple, and one as a queer couple. We found that HIV serodifferent couples in our study viewed ATIs as contradicting HIV treatment adherence messages. Couples expressed discomfort around ATIs in HIV cure research. They were concerned with the return of HIV detectability and worried ATIs might result in secondary HIV transmission. Participants were strongly in favor of using a range of partner protection measures during ATIs that included PrEP, HIV risk reduction counseling, and alternatives for penetrative sex practices. Couples also recommended that sex partners be consulted or involved as part of ATI trials. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight new potential opportunities and strategies to mitigate risk of HIV transmission during ATIs among key groups historically under-represented in HIV cure research. Findings also underscore the relational aspects of ATI trials. We provide preliminary considerations for planning ATI trials with diverse HIV serodifferent partners. Future studies should continue to explore these issues among other types of partnerships, cultures, and socio-cultural settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M. Campbell
- grid.254041.60000 0001 2323 2312Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), 1731 East 120th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059 USA ,Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health, University of California, San Diego/San Diego State University, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA ,grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Karine Dubé
- UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, 4108 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Portia D. Cowlings
- grid.254041.60000 0001 2323 2312Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU), 1731 East 120th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90059 USA ,grid.261833.d0000 0001 0691 6376Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Department of Education, Pepperdine University, 6100 Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045 USA
| | - Patricia Dionicio
- Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health, University of California, San Diego/San Diego State University, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Rowena M. Tam
- Joint Doctoral Program in Public Health, University of California, San Diego/San Diego State University, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Harsh Agarwal
- grid.10698.360000000122483208UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, 4108 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Jamila K. Stockman
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Judith D. Auerbach
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Medicine, Division of Prevention Sciences, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), University of California, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - John A. Sauceda
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Medicine, Division of Prevention Sciences, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), University of California, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Amy A. Conroy
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Medicine, Division of Prevention Sciences, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), University of California, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Mallory O. Johnson
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811San Francisco (UCSF) Department of Medicine, Division of Prevention Sciences, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), University of California, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Peluso MJ, Williams MC, Campbell DM, Dee L, Taylor J, Ngo LH, Hoh R, Dubé K, Sauceda JA, Deeks SG. SARS-CoV-2 Booster Vaccination for Participants in "HIV Cure"-Related Clinical Trials. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2022; 89:e30. [PMID: 35147584 PMCID: PMC8851852 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Peluso
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Meghann C Williams
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Danielle M Campbell
- Delaney AIDS Research Enterprise (DARE) Community Advisory Board
- Martin Delaney Collaboratory Community Advisory Board
- Carles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Lynda Dee
- Delaney AIDS Research Enterprise (DARE) Community Advisory Board
- Martin Delaney Collaboratory Community Advisory Board
- AIDS Action Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
- amfAR Institute for HIV Cure Research Community Advisory Board
| | - Jeff Taylor
- Martin Delaney Collaboratory Community Advisory Board
- amfAR Institute for HIV Cure Research Community Advisory Board
- HIV + Aging Research Project (HARP-PS), Palm Springs, CA
- Antiviral Research Center (AVRC) Community Advisory Board, University of California San Diego (UCSD), San Diego, CA
| | - Lynn H Ngo
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Rebecca Hoh
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Karine Dubé
- Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, NC
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - John A Sauceda
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), University of California, San Francisco, CA
| | - Steven G Deeks
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Dubé K, Eskaf S, Hastie E, Agarwal H, Henley L, Roebuck C, Carter WB, Dee L, Taylor J, Mapp D, Campbell DM, Villa TJ, Peterson B, Lynn KM, Lalley-Chareczko L, Hiserodt E, Kim S, Rosenbloom D, Evans BR, Anderson M, Hazuda DJ, Shipley L, Bateman K, Howell BJ, Mounzer K, Tebas P, Montaner LJ. Preliminary Acceptability of a Home-Based Peripheral Blood Collection Device for Viral Load Testing in the Context of Analytical Treatment Interruptions in HIV Cure Trials: Results from a Nationwide Survey in the United States. J Pers Med 2022; 12:231. [PMID: 35207719 PMCID: PMC8879991 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Frequent viral load testing is necessary during analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs) in HIV cure-directed clinical trials, though such may be burdensome and inconvenient to trial participants. We implemented a national, cross-sectional survey in the United States to examine the acceptability of a novel home-based peripheral blood collection device for HIV viral load testing. Between June and August 2021, we distributed an online survey to people with HIV (PWH) and community members, biomedical HIV cure researchers and HIV care providers. We performed descriptive analyses to summarize the results. We received 73 survey responses, with 51 from community members, 12 from biomedical HIV cure researchers and 10 from HIV care providers. Of those, 51 (70%) were cisgender men and 50 (68%) reported living with HIV. Most (>80% overall) indicated that the device would be helpful during ATI trials and they would feel comfortable using it themselves or recommending it to their patients/participants. Of the 50 PWH, 42 (84%) indicated they would use the device if they were participating in an ATI trial and 27 (54%) also expressed a willingness to use the device outside of HIV cure studies. Increasing sensitivity of viral load tests and pluri-potency of the device (CD4 count, chemistries) would augment acceptability. Survey findings provide evidence that viral load home testing would be an important adjunct to ongoing HIV cure-directed trials involving ATIs. Survey findings may help inform successful implementation and uptake of the device in the context of personalized HIV care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karine Dubé
- UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (H.A.); (L.H.)
| | - Shadi Eskaf
- Independent Public Health Researcher and Consultant, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA;
| | - Elizabeth Hastie
- School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Harsh Agarwal
- UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (H.A.); (L.H.)
| | - Laney Henley
- UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (H.A.); (L.H.)
| | - Christopher Roebuck
- Department of Science and Technology Studies, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA;
- Martin Delaney BEAT-HIV Collaboratory Community Advisory Board (CAB), Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - William B. Carter
- Martin Delaney BEAT-HIV Collaboratory Community Advisory Board (CAB), Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Lynda Dee
- AIDS Action Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA;
- Delaney AIDS Research Enterprise (DARE) Community Advisory Board (CAB), San Francisco, CA 94110, USA; (J.T.); (D.M.C.)
- AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition (ATAC), Denver, CO 80209, USA;
| | - Jeff Taylor
- Delaney AIDS Research Enterprise (DARE) Community Advisory Board (CAB), San Francisco, CA 94110, USA; (J.T.); (D.M.C.)
- AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition (ATAC), Denver, CO 80209, USA;
- HIV + Aging Research Project-Palm Springs (HARP-PS), Palm Springs, CA 92264, USA
| | - Derrick Mapp
- AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition (ATAC), Denver, CO 80209, USA;
- Shanti Project, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA
| | - Danielle M. Campbell
- Delaney AIDS Research Enterprise (DARE) Community Advisory Board (CAB), San Francisco, CA 94110, USA; (J.T.); (D.M.C.)
- AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition (ATAC), Denver, CO 80209, USA;
| | - Thomas J. Villa
- HOPE Martin Delaney Collaboratory, San Francisco, CA 94612, USA;
- BELIEVE Martin Delaney Collaboratory, Washington, DC 10021, USA
- National HIV & Aging Advocacy Network, Washington, DC 20005, USA
| | - Beth Peterson
- Wistar Institute, Martin Delaney BEAT-HIV Collaboratory, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (B.P.); (L.J.M.)
| | - Kenneth M. Lynn
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (K.M.L.); (S.K.); (K.M.); (P.T.)
| | | | - Emily Hiserodt
- Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (L.L.-C.); (E.H.)
| | - Sukyung Kim
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (K.M.L.); (S.K.); (K.M.); (P.T.)
| | - Daniel Rosenbloom
- Merck & Co, Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (D.R.); (B.R.E.); (M.A.); (D.J.H.); (L.S.); (K.B.); (B.J.H.)
| | - Brad R. Evans
- Merck & Co, Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (D.R.); (B.R.E.); (M.A.); (D.J.H.); (L.S.); (K.B.); (B.J.H.)
| | - Melanie Anderson
- Merck & Co, Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (D.R.); (B.R.E.); (M.A.); (D.J.H.); (L.S.); (K.B.); (B.J.H.)
| | - Daria J. Hazuda
- Merck & Co, Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (D.R.); (B.R.E.); (M.A.); (D.J.H.); (L.S.); (K.B.); (B.J.H.)
| | - Lisa Shipley
- Merck & Co, Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (D.R.); (B.R.E.); (M.A.); (D.J.H.); (L.S.); (K.B.); (B.J.H.)
| | - Kevin Bateman
- Merck & Co, Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (D.R.); (B.R.E.); (M.A.); (D.J.H.); (L.S.); (K.B.); (B.J.H.)
| | - Bonnie J. Howell
- Merck & Co, Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (D.R.); (B.R.E.); (M.A.); (D.J.H.); (L.S.); (K.B.); (B.J.H.)
| | - Karam Mounzer
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (K.M.L.); (S.K.); (K.M.); (P.T.)
- Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (L.L.-C.); (E.H.)
| | - Pablo Tebas
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (K.M.L.); (S.K.); (K.M.); (P.T.)
| | - Luis J. Montaner
- Wistar Institute, Martin Delaney BEAT-HIV Collaboratory, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (B.P.); (L.J.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Henderson M, Fidler S, Mothe B, Grinsztejn B, Haire B, Collins S, Lau JSY, Luba M, Sanne I, Tatoud R, Deeks S, Lewin SR. Mitigation strategies to safely conduct HIV treatment research in the context of COVID-19. J Int AIDS Soc 2022; 25:e25882. [PMID: 35138683 PMCID: PMC8826545 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The International AIDS Society convened a multidisciplinary committee of experts in December 2020 to provide guidance and key considerations for the safe and ethical management of clinical trials involving people living with HIV (PLWH) during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This consultation did not discuss guidance for the design of prevention studies for people at risk of HIV acquisition, nor for the programmatic delivery of antiretroviral therapy (ART). DISCUSSION There is strong ambition to continue with HIV research from both PLWH and the research community despite the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. How to do this safely and justly remains a critical debate. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to be highly dynamic. It is expected that with the emergence of effective SARS-CoV-2 prevention and treatment strategies, the risk to PLWH in clinical trials will decline over time. However, with the emergence of more contagious and potentially pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 variants, the effectiveness of current prevention and treatment strategies may be compromised. Uncertainty exists about how equally SARS-CoV-2 prevention and treatment strategies will be available globally, particularly for marginalized populations, many of whom are at high risk of reduced access to ART and/or HIV disease progression. All of these factors must be taken into account when deciding on the feasibility and safety of developing and implementing HIV research. CONCLUSIONS It can be assumed for the foreseeable future that SARS-CoV-2 will persist and continue to pose challenges to conducting clinical research in PLWH. Guidelines regarding how best to implement HIV treatment studies will evolve accordingly. The risks and benefits of performing an HIV clinical trial must be carefully evaluated in the local context on an ongoing basis. With this document, we hope to provide a broad guidance that should remain viable and relevant even as the nature of the pandemic continues to develop.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Merle Henderson
- Department of Infectious DiseaseImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Sarah Fidler
- Department of Infectious DiseaseImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Beatriz Mothe
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research InstituteHUGTIPBadalonaSpain
| | | | | | | | - Jillian S. Y. Lau
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityThe University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Ian Sanne
- University of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | | | - Steve Deeks
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)San FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Sharon R. Lewin
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityThe University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Miall A, McLellan R, Dong K, Ndung'u T, Saberi P, Sauceda JA, Dubé K. Bringing social context into global biomedical HIV cure-related research: An urgent call to action. J Virus Erad 2021; 8:100062. [PMID: 35169489 PMCID: PMC8829132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jve.2021.100062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in science have ushered in a wave of new potential curative and control strategies for HIV that could eliminate the current requirement for life-long antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV (PLWH). In this article, we argue that it is critical to consider social contexts in the development of HIV cure trial protocols. The biological and behavioral risk factors for HIV acquisition by study participants are inseparable from the social context in which these participants live. The article discusses an example of a cohort established to further HIV cure research that included social context, called the FRESH Acute HIV study, which combines a sociostructural intervention while conducting HIV prevention, treatment and cure-related research in Durban, South Africa. We make an urgent call to action to include sociobehavioral components as instrumental in future HIV cure trials in global context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Krista Dong
- Harvard Medical School, MA, USA,Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Massachusetts General Hospital, MA, USA
| | - Thumbi Ndung'u
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA,Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), Durban, South Africa,HIV Pathogenesis Programme, The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa,Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Parya Saberi
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), Division of Prevention Sciences, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John A. Sauceda
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), Division of Prevention Sciences, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Karine Dubé
- UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA,Corresponding author. UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, 4108 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Analytical Treatment Interruption in HIV Trials: Statistical and Study Design Considerations. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2021; 18:475-482. [PMID: 34213731 PMCID: PMC8251690 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-021-00569-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Analytical treatment interruption (ATI) remains an essential component in clinical studies investigating novel agents or combination treatment strategies aiming to induce HIV treatment-free remission or long-term viral control. We provide an overview on key study design aspects of ATI trials from the perspective of statisticians. Recent Findings ATI trial designs have evolved towards shorter treatment interruption phases and more frequent viral load monitoring aiming to reduce prolonged viremia risks. Criteria for ART resumption have evolved as well. Common outcome measures in modern ATI trials include time to viral rebound, viral control, and viral set point. Summary Design of the ATI component in HIV clinical trials is driven by the scientific question and the mechanism of action of the intervention being investigated.
Collapse
|
15
|
Dubé K, Kanazawa J, Taylor J, Dee L, Jones N, Roebuck C, Sylla L, Louella M, Kosmyna J, Kelly D, Clanton O, Palm D, Campbell DM, Onaiwu MG, Patel H, Ndukwe S, Henley L, Johnson MO, Saberi P, Brown B, Sauceda JA, Sugarman J. Ethics of HIV cure research: an unfinished agenda. BMC Med Ethics 2021; 22:83. [PMID: 34193141 PMCID: PMC8243312 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-021-00651-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The pursuit of a cure for HIV is a high priority for researchers, funding agencies, governments and people living with HIV (PLWH). To date, over 250 biomedical studies worldwide are or have been related to discovering a safe, effective, and scalable HIV cure, most of which are early translational research and experimental medicine. As HIV cure research increases, it is critical to identify and address the ethical challenges posed by this research. Methods We conducted a scoping review of the growing HIV cure research ethics literature, focusing on articles published in English peer-reviewed journals from 2013 to 2021. We extracted and summarized key developments in the ethics of HIV cure research. Twelve community advocates actively engaged in HIV cure research provided input on this summary and suggested areas warranting further ethical inquiry and foresight via email exchange and video conferencing. Discussion Despite substantial scholarship related to the ethics of HIV cure research, additional attention should focus on emerging issues in six categories of ethical issues: (1) social value (ongoing and emerging biomedical research and scalability considerations); (2) scientific validity (study design issues, such as the use of analytical treatment interruptions and placebos); (3) fair selection of participants (equity and justice considerations); (4) favorable benefit/risk balance (early phase research, benefit-risk balance, risk perception, psychological risks, and pediatric research); (5) informed consent (attention to language, decision-making, informed consent processes and scientific uncertainty); and (6) respect for enrolled participants and community (perspectives of people living with HIV and affected communities and representation). Conclusion HIV cure research ethics has an unfinished agenda. Scientific research and bioethics should work in tandem to advance ethical HIV cure research. Because the science of HIV cure research will continue to rapidly advance, ethical considerations of the major themes we identified will need to be revisited and refined over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karine Dubé
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, 4108 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7469, USA.
| | - John Kanazawa
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, 4108 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7469, USA
| | - Jeff Taylor
- HIV + Aging Research Project - Palm Springs (HARP-PS), Palm Springs, CA, USA.,AntiViral Research Center (AVRC) Community Advisory Board (CAB), San Diego, CA, USA.,Collaboratory of AIDS Researchers for Eradication (CARE) CAB, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Lynda Dee
- AIDS Action Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Delaney AIDS Research Enterprise (DARE) Community Advisory Board (CAB), San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nora Jones
- BEAT-HIV Collaboratory CAB, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jan Kosmyna
- AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) Community Scientific Subcommittee (CSS) Ethics Working Group, Nationwide, USA
| | - David Kelly
- AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) Community Scientific Subcommittee (CSS) Ethics Working Group, Nationwide, USA
| | - Orbit Clanton
- AIDS Clinical Trials Group Global CAB, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - David Palm
- Collaboratory of AIDS Researchers for Eradication (CARE) CAB, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases HIV Treatment and Prevention CAB, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Danielle M Campbell
- Delaney AIDS Research Enterprise (DARE) Community Advisory Board (CAB), San Francisco, CA, USA.,Charles R. Drew College of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Morénike Giwa Onaiwu
- AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) Community Scientific Subcommittee (CSS) Ethics Working Group, Nationwide, USA.,Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality (School of Humanities), Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hursch Patel
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, 4108 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7469, USA
| | - Samuel Ndukwe
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, 4108 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7469, USA
| | - Laney Henley
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, 4108 McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7469, USA
| | - Mallory O Johnson
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), Division of Prevention Sciences, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Parya Saberi
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), Division of Prevention Sciences, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Brandon Brown
- Department of Social Medicine, Population and Public Health, Center for Healthy Communities, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - John A Sauceda
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), Division of Prevention Sciences, UCSF, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy Sugarman
- Johns Hopkins Berman Institute for Bioethics, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Lau JSY. Interrupting antiretroviral therapy in HIV cure trials during COVID-19: Adaptation to low transmission settings. J Virus Erad 2021; 7:100032. [PMID: 33585037 PMCID: PMC7868108 DOI: 10.1016/j.jve.2021.100032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jillian SY. Lau
- Corresponding author. Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, 85 Commercial Road, Prahran, 3181, Victoria, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|