This is a proposal for a K24 Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-oriented research (POR) for Mark S. Sulkowski, MD of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Sulkowski is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases (ID) and Medical Director of the ID Viral Hepatitis Center. He leads two complementary POR programs for hepatitis C virus (HCV): HCV/HIV Liver Outcomes Research.
The aims of this research are to evaluate long-term outcomes of HCV disease in an NIH-supported longitudinal cohort of adults coinfected with HIV and HCV. Current efforts emphasize the use of tools to determine the impact of antiretroviral therapy and HCV treatment on liver disease including histology and noninvasive transient elastography as well as interventions to improve HCV outcomes such as behavioral reinforcement for HCV treatment. HCV Therapeutics.
The aim of this research is to conduct clinical trials of novel direct acting antivirals (DAAs) for the treatment of HCV with the broad goals of validating new therapeutic targets, increasing eradication rates, improving safety and tolerability and translating these findings to the community. The principal aims of this K24 Award proposal are: 1) To create a comprehensive training program that brings together expertise in outcomes research and clinical trials to prepare early clinical investigator for academic careers in POR related to HCV; 2) To dedicate research effort to the advancement of the HCV research agenda in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG). This network has led research in HIV/HCV coinfection and has expertise in virology, immunology, pharmacology, metabolic, biostatics, bioethics, and research implementation that are critical to the HCV field; 3) To expand the scope HCV disease management in coinfected adults through the development of a research program focused on harmful alcohol intake which is prevalent in this population, accelerates HCV disease and is a contraindication to HCV treatment.
These aims will be addressed in the context of providing mentorship to new and existing junior faculty, infectious diseases fellows and graduate students. The K24 will allow Dr. Sulkowski to more effectively pursue his long-term career goals of improving HCV treatment and translating these treatments to populations of individuals with the highest HCV disease burden.

Public Health Relevance

This is a proposal for a Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24) for Mark S. Sulkowski, M.D. This award will support Dr. Sulkowski's clinical research programs in Hepatitis C; the overarching aim of this research is to improve clinical outcomes in persons with HCV through the conduct clinical trials of novel direct acting antivirals (DAAs) for the treatment of HCV and the translation of improved therapies to populations with the greatest disease burden. These aims are addressed in the context of providing mentorship to new and existing junior faculty, infectious diseases fellows and graduate students.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24)
Project #
5K24DA034621-04
Application #
8822267
Study Section
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases B Subcommittee (MID)
Program Officer
Khalsa, Jagjitsingh H
Project Start
2012-04-15
Project End
2017-03-31
Budget Start
2015-04-01
Budget End
2016-03-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$118,638
Indirect Cost
$8,788
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21205
Durand, Christine M; Bowring, Mary G; Thomas, Alvin G et al. (2018) The Drug Overdose Epidemic and Deceased-Donor Transplantation in the United States: A National Registry Study. Ann Intern Med 168:702-711
Patel, Eshan U; Solomon, Sunil S; Mcfall, Allison M et al. (2018) Hepatitis C care continuum and associated barriers among people who inject drugs in Chennai, India. Int J Drug Policy 57:51-60
Falade-Nwulia, O; Sulkowski, M S; Merkow, A et al. (2018) Understanding and addressing hepatitis C reinfection in the oral direct-acting antiviral era. J Viral Hepat 25:220-227
Bowring, Mary G; Kucirka, Lauren M; Massie, Allan B et al. (2018) Changes in Utilization and Discard of HCV Antibody-Positive Deceased Donor Kidneys in the Era of Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy. Transplantation 102:2088-2095
Solomon, S S; Sulkowski, M S; Amrose, P et al. (2018) Directly observed therapy of sofosbuvir/ribavirin +/- peginterferon with minimal monitoring for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in people with a history of drug use in Chennai, India (C-DOT). J Viral Hepat 25:37-46
Shaffer, Ashton A; Thomas, Alvin G; Bowring, Mary Grace et al. (2018) Changes in practice and perception of hepatitis C and liver transplantation: Results of a national survey. Transpl Infect Dis 20:e12982
Durand, Christine M; Bowring, Mary G; Brown, Diane M et al. (2018) Direct-Acting Antiviral Prophylaxis in Kidney Transplantation From Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Donors to Noninfected Recipients: An Open-Label Nonrandomized Trial. Ann Intern Med 168:533-540
Bhardwaj, N; Ragonnet-Cronin, M; Murrell, B et al. (2018) Intrapatient viral diversity and treatment outcome in patients with genotype 3a hepatitis C virus infection on sofosbuvir-containing regimens. J Viral Hepat 25:344-353
Sulkowski, Mark S; Brainard, Diana M; Yang, Jenny C et al. (2017) Reply to Ozaras et al. Clin Infect Dis 64:1463
Welzel, Tania M; Nelson, David R; Morelli, Giuseppe et al. (2017) Effectiveness and safety of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for the treatment of HCV genotype 2 infection: results of the real-world, clinical practice HCV-TARGET study. Gut 66:1844-1852

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