The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) has been at the forefront of clinical research to advance HIV therapeutics and improve the health of patients living with HIV/AIDS for 25 years. Rigorous scientific research conducted by the ACTG has laid the cornerstones for current HIV treatment guidelines. In this application for the competitive renewal of the ACTG Network Laboratory Center, we propose a transformative laboratory research agenda that draws on an international consortium of prominent clinical and laboratory investigators in collaboration with a world-class Statistical and Data Management Center to conduct leading edge laboratory research, testing, assay development and laboratory training for the support of innovative interventional clinical trials. The component ACTG Network Laboratory Center will improve scientific knowledge and technical capability by providing state-of-the-art laboratory support in the four NIH/DAIDS priority areas of strategies to cure HIV; improve the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis; identify strategies to cure infectious viral hepatitis; improve the treatment and prevention of non-infectious co-morbidities associated with HIV infection and evaluate novel interventions targeting HIV infection. In addition, the Laboratory Center will provide laboratory support for therapeutic studies of oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS and virally mediated cancers. The continued expansion of an effective, quality-assured laboratory program at domestic and international sites for protocol safety measures, state-of-the-art molecular assays for virology and mycobacteriology; immunology and biomarkers; pharmacology; genomics; and oral pathogens associated with HIV-1 infection, will provide the essential framework for advancing the scientific agenda of the ACTG Network. The Laboratory Center will continue to provide oversight of established specimen and human DNA repositories for the ACTG Network, harmonize specific laboratory testing and standardized operating procedures with other Networks where feasible and continue to support the laboratory training of technologists and investigators domestically and internationally.

Public Health Relevance

The laboratory studies proposed in this application will have a direct beneficial effect on the health of millions of patients worldwide who are infected with HIV, TB and viral hepatitis, transforming the treatment of patients with these infections. The clinical research conducted by the ACTG will lead to significantly reducing morbidity and mortality, particularly among populations disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project with Complex Structure Cooperative Agreement (UM1)
Project #
5UM1AI106701-05
Application #
9390025
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1)
Program Officer
Livnat, Daniella
Project Start
2014-01-01
Project End
2018-11-30
Budget Start
2017-12-01
Budget End
2018-11-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
030811269
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
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Cirrincione, Lauren R; Penchala, Sujan Dilly; Scarsi, Kimberly K et al. (2018) Development, validation and utilization of a highly sensitive LC-MS/MS method for quantification of levonorgestrel released from a subdermal implant in human plasma. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 1084:106-112
Gandhi, Monica; Gandhi, Rajesh T; Stefanescu, Andrei et al. (2018) Cumulative Antiretroviral Exposure Measured in Hair Is Not Associated With Measures of HIV Persistence or Inflammation Among Individuals on Suppressive ART. J Infect Dis 218:234-238
Kelesidis, Theodoros; Moser, Carlee B; Johnston, Elizabeth et al. (2018) Brief Report: Changes in Plasma RANKL-Osteoprotegerin in a Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial of Initial Antiviral Therapy: A5260s. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 78:362-366
Kelesidis, Theodoros; Kendall, Michelle A; Danoff, Ann et al. (2018) Soluble levels of receptor for advanced glycation endproducts and dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus: ACTG NWCS332. Medicine (Baltimore) 97:e10955
Kearney, Mary F; Spindler, Jonathan; Wiegand, Ann et al. (2018) Lower pre-ART intra-participant HIV-1 pol diversity may not be associated with virologic failure in adults. PLoS One 13:e0190438
Hong, Feiyu; Jacobs, Jana L; Aga, Evgenia et al. (2018) Associations between HIV-1 DNA copy number, proviral transcriptional activity, and plasma viremia in individuals off or on suppressive antiretroviral therapy. Virology 521:51-57
Akpa, Onoja; Miyahara, Sachiko; Taiwo, Babafemi et al. (2018) Similar changes in neuropsychological functioning in english and spanish speaking HIV patients. Brain Behav 8:e01083
Wyles, David L; Kang, Minhee; Matining, Roy M et al. (2018) Similar Low Rates of HCV Recurrence in HCV/HIV- and HCV-Infected Participants who Achieved SVR After DAA Treatment: Interim Results From the ACTG A5320 Viral Hepatitis C Infection Long-term Cohort Study (V-HICS). Open Forum Infect Dis 5:ofy103
Wilkin, Timothy J; Chen, Huichao; Cespedes, Michelle S et al. (2018) A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Adults Aged 27 Years or Older: AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocol A5298. Clin Infect Dis 67:1339-1346

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