This is an application for a Fogarty International Center K01 International Research Scientist Development Award for Dr. Jennifer Tang, an obstetrician gynecologist specializing in family planning and global women's health at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. Dr. Tang is establishing herself as a young investigator in the areas of hormonal contraception and HIV prevention. This K01 award will provide Dr. Tang with the support necessary to accomplish the following goals: (1) to learn the fundamentals of immunological and genital tract markers related to HIV acquisition;(2) to gain experience in advanced study design and biostatistical analysis;(3) to become an expert in the design and implementation of randomized controlled trials in resource-limited settings;and (4) to develop skills in multidisciplinary, long-distance collaboration with clinical and basic scientists. To achieve these goals, Dr. Tang has assembled a mentoring team comprised of a U.S primary mentor, Dr. Jeffrey Stringer, Director of the UNC Global Women's Health Division and an internationally-recognized research expert in HIV prevention and treatment;a Malawi primary mentor, Dr. Mina Hosseinipour, Clinical Director of UNC Project-Malawi and an expert in HIV and infectious disease research in sub-Saharan Africa;Dr. Gretchen Stuart, Director of the UNC Family Planning Program and expert in interactions between hormonal contraception and HIV infection and treatment;Dr. William Miller, Director of the UNC Program in Health Care Epidemiology and Clinical Research and an expert in analytic methods and mentoring young investigators toward research independence;and Dr. Kristina Abel, Associate Director of the UNC Center for AIDS Research Immunology Core and an expert in mucosal immunity and the pathogenesis of HIV infection. Understanding the potential association between progestins (such as medroxyprogesterone or levonorgestrel) and HIV acquisition is currently a critical research priority for women's health researchers and policymakers. Dr. Tang's research will focus on elucidating this relationship by randomizing HIV-negative women to receive the depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) injection or the Jadelle(R) levonorgestrel implant and comparing the immunologic changes (Aim 1) and genital tract changes (Aim 2) that occur after initiation of these contraceptives. In addition, her research will evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a long-term randomized controlled trial of DMPA versus Jadelle(R) in a sub-Saharan African population at-risk for HIV acquisition (Aim 3). Dr. Tang will randomize 30 women to DMPA or Jadelle(R) and evaluate serum and genital tract levels of antimicrobials, inflammatory cytokines, and anti-inflammatory cytokines at multiple time points before and after contraceptive initiation, for up to 2 years of contraceptive use. This study will form the basis for a larger, multicenter clinical trial that will evaluate the risk for HIV acquisition among women using DMPA , Jadelle(R), and other hormonal contraceptives. This trial will be submitted by Dr. Tang as an R01 application before the end of the 4-year career development award period.

Public Health Relevance

Sub-Saharan Africa has the world's highest rates of HIV infection and maternal mortality. Use of hormonal contraceptives may decrease maternal mortality by decreasing unintended pregnancy. The potential association between progestin-only contraception and increased HIV acquisition needs to be investigated in randomized clinical trials to guide decision-making for prevention of both unintended pregnancy and HIV in at- risk populations.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01TW009657-01
Application #
8630189
Study Section
International and Cooperative Projects - 1 Study Section (ICP1)
Program Officer
Jessup, Christine
Project Start
2013-09-20
Project End
2017-08-31
Budget Start
2013-09-20
Budget End
2014-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$141,336
Indirect Cost
$10,469
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
608195277
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Chinula, Lameck; Nelson, Julie A E; Wiener, Jeffrey et al. (2018) Effect of the depot medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable and levonorgestrel implant on HIV genital shedding: a randomized trial. Contraception 98:193-198
Nwaohiri, Anuli N; Tang, Jennifer H; Stanczyk, Frank et al. (2018) Discordance between self-reported contraceptive use and detection of exogenous hormones among Malawian women enrolling in a randomized clinical trial. Contraception 97:354-356
Kourtis, Athena P; Haddad, Lisa; Tang, Jennifer et al. (2017) A randomized clinical trial on the effects of progestin contraception in the genital tract of HIV-infected and uninfected women in Lilongwe, Malawi: Addressing evolving research priorities. Contemp Clin Trials 52:27-34
O'Shea, Michele S; Rosenberg, Nora E; Tang, Jennifer H et al. (2016) Reproductive intentions and family planning practices of pregnant HIV-infected Malawian women on antiretroviral therapy. AIDS Care 28:1027-34
Kohler, Racquel E; Tang, Jennifer; Gopal, Satish et al. (2016) High rates of cervical cancer among HIV-infected women at a referral hospital in Malawi. Int J STD AIDS 27:753-60