The ACTG (Advancing Clinical Therapeutics Globally, formerly the AIDS Clinical Trials Group) Network celebrates the A5321 trial, and a successful ten-year milestone this month. Joe Eron, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases, is the ACTG Chair and leader of the ACTG Executive Committee.
“The A5321 has been ongoing for 10 years and has contributed data to many different presentations and manuscripts that have helped inform HIV reservoir and cure science improving the understanding of how HIV persists in people with HIV on very effective therapy and how their immune systems respond,” said Dr. Eron.
“Our team at UNC has followed many dedicated participants on this protocol, and we are so grateful to these participants for their willingness to contribute to help others.”
Also known as the ACTG HIV Reservoirs Cohort, the study has accrued samples from people with HIV who have remained on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with a suppressed HIV RNA for up to 20 years and counting.
Samples have been shared with multiple scientific groups both inside and outside the ACTG, and helped advance understanding of the HIV reservoir through collaboration and incorporation of new technologies and novel approaches.
“We send our deepest thanks to all of the CTU staff and Clinical Research Sites, and especially, our participants.”
The study historically enrolled people into one of six groups, based on their different HIV treatment histories. The current version of this study is only enrolling for Group 6, which will include people who acquired or are suspected to have acquired HIV while taking long-acting cabotegravir (LA CAB) for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
A5321 By the Numbers
- Total participants enrolled into A5321: 420 enrolled.
- First enrolled participant in August 2013 (when ALLRT was ending, A5321 is ALLRT/A5001 rollover study).
- Total of 32 different US-based ACTG sites have enrolled participants.
- Group 6 of A5321, focusing on reservoirs in people who acquire HIV while receiving long-acting cabotegravir pre-exposure prophylaxis, is currently open to enrollment.
- 60+ Published Journal Articles and Conference Presentations
CTU Staff Member Reflects
Jonathan Oakes is a project manager who has been with the Institute since 2009. He was featured in the ACTG’s recent newsletter.
“I’ve spent countless hours with participants, reminiscing about studies from years past, other site staff they may have worked with, and discussing how far we’ve come in the world of HIV treatment since they first started participating in research. At this point, many can recite in their sleep my reminders to avoid vaccinations within two weeks of their visit, and to hydrate fully in the days leading up to their appointment. I know who doesn’t want to see the bag of 20+ tubes for their blood draw until they absolutely must, and who wants to know the exact number of tubes each time, so they can wear it like a badge of honor.
“It is unbelievably fulfilling to work on a study that is consistently making so many important and interesting findings, and that is connected to so many important studies from days gone by.”
ACTG is a global clinical trials network that conducts research to improve the management of HIV and its comorbidities; develop a cure for HIV; and innovate treatments for tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and emerging infectious diseases.
ACTG is the world’s largest and longest running clinical trials network focused on HIV and other infectious diseases and the people living with them. Founded in 1987, it comprises thousands of dedicated researchers, staff, and community members who are pursuing research into novel treatments and cures for infectious diseases at 65 locations across four continents, with the ultimate goal of advancing science that meaningfully impacts the lives of the people we serve.
Find all staff working in the Institute’s Clinical Trials Unit and its four Clinical Research Sites.