Clinical Research Directory

SHARE Program: SUSTAIN

The goal of PROJECT SUSTAIN is to optimize Healthy Choices to advance an adaptive and scalable intervention designed to improve self-management of alcohol and HIV in Young People with HIV (YPWH) while understanding the context for state-wide implementation and sustainment in a Hybrid Experimental Design (HED). SUSTAIN utilizes mHealth and telehealth intervention delivery of Healthy Choices (HC), combined with text messaging between sessions, to increase the likelihood of daily medication adherence (primary outcome), and increase the likelihood of achieving viral suppression and meeting criteria for no risky alcohol use at month 3 (secondary outcome).

Kidney Transplantation From Donors With HIV: Impact on Rejection and Long-Term Outcomes (Expanding HOPE Kidney)

This research is being done to better understand rejection in transplant recipients with HIV who receive kidneys from donors with vs without HIV.

TwySHE - An Mhealth Peer-navigator Intervention to Increase PrEP and Contraceptive Use

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if the TwySHE intervention can increase the use of HIV prevention in at-risk female university students aged 18-24 in Zambia. The main question it aims to answer is: • Can a mhealth peer navigator intervention effectively promote HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis PrEP use among high-risk female students in Zambia? Researchers will compare the mhealth peer navigator intervention to treatment as usual to see if there are effects on female student's use and continuation of PrEP for HIV prevention. Participants in the intervention will be paired with a trained peer navigator who will offer education, social support, and help navigating the health systems to access PrEP and other sexual and reproductive health services. All participants in both arms will complete surveys at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months to evaluate health behaviors.

Multi Interventional Approaches to Mitigate HIV Reservoirs Aiming the Sustained HIV Remission Without Antiretrovirals

A modern and urgent challenge in fighting HIV infection is to achieve sustained HIV remission without the use of antiretrovirals. The investigators' preliminary data indicate that the use of combined strategies to mitigate the HIV proviral reservoir size among individuals with suppressive antiretroviral treatment achieved unprecedented results in the reduction of HIV DNA present in these cells and in the reduction of CD4 + and CD8 + T cell activation. Combined interventions include intensified antiretroviral treatment to mitigate residual HIV replication, use of a histone deacetylase inhibitor to interrupt viral latency, use of an anti-proliferative medication to reduce long-lived T cells that harbor HIV and a personalized dendritic cell therapy vaccine to eliminate cells with latent HIV infection or cells present in viral sanctuaries. Due to the good results obtained in the exploratory stage of the project, the investigators propose to expand it by recruiting a larger number of patient to confirm the previously obtained results and to generate new insights related to the mechanisms involved in viral latency, latency disruption and the effects of analytical treatment interruption of antiretrovirals among patients undergoing all above mentioned interventions.

Change My Story Task Shifted Mental Health Intervention

Psychological distress and depression are common among young people living with HIV (Y-PLWH) and negatively impact medication adherence and disease control. In low- and middle-income countries, this problem is compounded by the lack of trained mental health professionals on the provider side and the requirement of frequent clinic-based visits imposing greater cost, inconvenience, and stigma for patients. Change My Story, is a theory-grounded, interactive narrative game designed to address the key drivers of depression and psychological distress among Y-PLWH in Nigeria. This pilot hybrid implementation-effectiveness randomized controlled trial (RCT) will compare Change My Story combined with PST to PST alone among 80 Y-PLWH with depression or psychological distress.

Influence of Resentment and Forgivingness on Quality of Life in People Living With HIV

Life stress is strongly associated with poor mental and physical health and its effects explain significant morbidity and mortality. Forgiveness is one of the factors that can influence the effects of stress on health. By definition, forgiveness is the release of negative feelings, emotions, and behaviors - and possibly the release of positive feelings - toward an offender. Numerous studies have shown that forgiveness is associated with several mental and physical health benefits. The literature argues that high levels of propensity to forgive (trait) predispose that person to experience forgiveness (state) more often. In other words, a stronger forgiving disposition is believed to increase the experience of forgiveness, which, in turn, mitigates the negative effects of stress. Forgiveness is therefore a coping style that can play a beneficial role in the stress-health relationship. Patients living with HIV (PLHIV) are patients particularly exposed to stress, not only because of their chronic pathology but also because of the stigma attached to this disease. Very few studies have studied the impact of forgiveness (state or trait) on the physical health of PLHIV and even fewer the impact of an intervention promoting the disposition to forgive. The objective of this prospective observational monocentric study is to show in a very secular country that forgiveness has an effect on well-being as well as on other health parameters.

High-Intensity Exercise to Attenuate Limitations and Train Habits in Older Adults With HIV

This is a multi-site, randomized, single-blind (researchers), active treatment concurrent control trial with individuals aged 50-80 living with HIV who experience fatigue and live a sedentary lifestyle. The overall goals of this proposal are to determine whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can overcome physical function impairments and increased fatigue (Aim 1) and impairments in mitochondrial bioenergetics of older people with HIV (PWH) to a greater extent than continuous moderate-intensity exercise (CME) (Aim 2). The investigators further seek to determine whether a biobehavioral coaching intervention following either HIIT or CME can promote long-term adherence to physical activity (Aim 3), a crucial component of the sustainability of the intervention. This study will enroll 100 participants in Aurora, Colorado and Seattle, Washington. Data collection will occur at each visit, with baseline data collected at the initial visit. A 3-month follow-up will be conducted over the phone from the date of the final visit. The initial enrollment goal of 100 was increased to 120 in 2023 to facilitate a larger number of participants with key secondary outcomes.

Differentiated Service Delivery for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Living With HIV and Their Infants

Differentiated service delivery (DSD) is an evidence-based HIV care and treatment model endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) that simplifies HIV services for clients who are clinically stable, improving the quality and efficiency of HIV services. The goal of this implementation-effectiveness pilot study is to evaluate the implementation of a DSD model for pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV and their infants enrolled in care at Huruma Sub-District Hospital in Kenya.

The Effect on Lipid Profile of Switching to Delstrigo in HIV Positive Patients

This is an open label, randomised, two-arm switch study over 48 weeks in which virally suppressed participants on a stable combined ART regimen will be randomised (1:1) to an immediate switch to 3TC/TDF/DOR (immediate switch arm, N=30) for the duration of the 48-week study, or to maintaining their current cART followed by a switch to 3TC/TDF/DOR from week 24-48 (delayed switch arm, N=30). Participants will be monitored for the length of the study (48 weeks) plus a 30-day follow-up period. If patients withdraw or are withdrawn from the study treatment prematurely, an early termination visit (ETV) should occur within 30 days post withdrawal. The hypothesis of the study is that a switch to Delstrigo, which is a combination of tenofovir disoproxil, lamivudine and doravirine (TDF/3TC/DOR) has a favourable impact on lipid metabolism, glucose, weight, body composition and hepatic steatosis.

HOPE in Action Trial of HIV+ Deceased Donor Liver Transplants for HIV+ Recipients

The primary objective of this study is to determine if an HIV-infected donor liver (HIVD+) transplant is safe with regards to major transplant-related and HIV-related complications

Resilient HIV Implementation Science With SGM Youths Using Evidence

The Resilient HIV Implementation Science with SGM Youths using Evidence (RISE) Clinical Research Center will use a Type 2 hybrid-effectiveness-implementation study to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of HMP, a youth-tailored digital health platform. It is hypothesized that SGM youths in the HMP intervention group will demonstrate improved PrEP initiation and viral load suppression over 12 months compared to the delayed HMP group.

Real-world Effectiveness of HPV Vaccine in Women Living With HIV and Its Impact on Cervical Cancer Screening Accuracies

This study will examine both Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine effectiveness and Primary high-risk HPV PHS screening triage strategies in women living with HIV (WLHIV) by partnering with the Pediatric HIV/AIDs Cohort Study (PHACS) led, in part, by our investigative team. Among WWH, the study will examine the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine The study will screen approximately 810 WWH using a self-sampling kit and those who are PHS\[+\] will attend a clinical visit to have colposcopy/biopsy and 4 triage tests. WWH with \<CIN 2+ are asked to return annually for colposcopy and HPV genotyping for up to 3 yrs. WWH PHS\[-\] will be asked to return in Year 2 for rescreening. Those PHS\[+\] will be followed as above and PHS\[-\] will be asked to obtain self-collected vaginal samples for HPV genotyping annually for 3 years.

Enhancing PrEP Outcomes Among Kenyan Adolescent Girls and Young Women With a Novel Pharmacy-based PrEP Delivery Platform

The investigators will conduct a cluster RCT in Kisumu, Kenya to determine the effect of nurse-navigators on PrEP initiation, persistence, and adherence among AGYW seeking contraception within a pharmacy-based PrEP delivery model. The study will randomize 20 retail pharmacies offering PrEP (10 pharmacies per randomization arm) and will enroll 1900 AGYW seeking contraception. All participants will be enrolled following purchase of a contraceptive method, offered PrEP (daily oral PrEP or the DPV-VR) and followed for 10 months. The study will quantify and compare PrEP initiation, persistence, and adherence at the pharmacy-level between randomization arms, in addition to several secondary and exploratory outcomes.

Mitigating the Impact of Stigma and Shame Among People Living With HIV and Substance Use Disorders

People living with HIV and substance use disorders (SUDs) are less likely to be virally suppressed, which can lead to HIV transmission and negative health outcomes. This hybrid type 1 study will assess the efficacy, mechanisms, as well as facilitators and barriers to implementing the MATTER intervention, a virtually delivered 5-session text-enhanced psychobehavioral intervention designed to facilitate viral suppression by addressing internalized stigma and shame as barriers to engagement in HIV care among individuals living with HIV and SUDs in two locations with different levels of HIV resources (i.e., the Boston, Massachusetts and Miami, Florida metro areas). MATTER aims to mitigate the negative behavioral consequences of internalized stigma and shame on viral suppression by a) developing behavioral self-care goal setting skills and related self-efficacy, b) increasing metacognitive awareness (i.e., non-judgmental awareness of emotions and cognitions), and c) teaching and reinforcing compassionate self-restructuring (i.e., self- compassion), in addition to providing access to phone-based resource navigation. Scalable interventions such as MATTER are essential to our efforts to end the HIV epidemic in high priority regions.

Evaluation of the Preventing AIDS Through Live Movement and Sound (PALMS) Intervention for Minority Adolescents

The purpose of this program evaluation is to determine whether the Preventing AIDS Through Live Movement and Sound (PALMS) group-level intervention is effective in reducing HIV sex risk behaviors and increasing HIV testing of high-risk, incarcerated or adjudicated youth. The intent of this program is to support the evaluation of an existing intervention and provide feedback to the implementing organization for improved program effectiveness, not to conduct research.

Effectiveness of Relationship Education for Reducing HIV Incidence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men

The purpose of this study is to upgrade an existing relationship education and HIV prevention program. This program is designed for gay, bisexual, queer, and transgender and non-binary people who partner with cisgender men. This means the program is designed for gay, bisexual and queer men, including both cisgender and transgender men. It is also designed for transgender and non-binary people who partner with cisgender men, including both transfeminine and transmasculine people. The investigators aim to test the effectiveness of this updated program among couples and single people. Participants will complete online surveys and get tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Participants will be tested for urethral and rectal Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Participants will also complete at-home point-of-care HIV testing, with confirmatory testing for preliminary positive results. They will also participate in our program on relationship education and HIV prevention. Study staff will follow up with participants for up to 2 years. All participants will be randomized into one of two different conditions: the all2GETHER program or no program. "Randomized" means that it is completely up to chance which condition participants will be put into. Participants have a 50% chance of being assigned to either condition, similar to a coin toss. Participants should expect that they will be in this research study for 2 years. Participation in this study will be done remotely - participants will never need to come into a research lab.

Telemedicine for Unhealthy Alcohol Use in Persons Living With HIV Using CETA

This study is designed to examine the efficacy of a brief intervention plus a cognitive-behavioral intervention compared to brief intervention alone to address unhealthy alcohol use and comorbid mental health symptoms to improve HIV outcomes among people living with HIV in Alabama.

Joining Under-connected Networks to Optimize "Salud" (Health) ("JUNTOS")

The objective of this study is to evaluate the JUNTOS Referral Network as an implementation strategy to enhance the reach of HIV-prevention and treatment services to Latino gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM).

Adherence and Clinical Correlates in Persons With HIV on TAF

This is an observational, 48-week, prospective study of PWH treated with TAF in which the investigators will compare TFV-DP concentrations in DBS in virologically suppressed vs. non-suppressed individuals and evaluate the utility of TFV-DP in DBS to predict future viremia. To accomplish this, the investigators will approach PWH currently taking TAF (which is being prescribed by a primary care physician) and who present to the clinic for regular HIV care and HIV VL assessment. Participants will complete up to 3 visits (at least 2 weeks apart) during the 48-week study follow-up period.

A Seek, Test, and Treat Intervention to Reduce Chlamydia Trachomatis Disparities

This study includes testing for four STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV) at no cost. If positive, individual subjects will also be counseled and offered options for treatment for themselves and their sex partners that may include no cost expedited treatment and the option to be rescreened 3 months after treatment.

The HIV, Adipose Tissue Immunology, and Metabolism Study

With the introduction of effective anti-retroviral therapy (ART), HIV-infected persons can now survive for decades, but this success has been accompanied by an increased risk of developing metabolic disease and diabetes in HIV-infected persons compared to the general population. Recent studies from HIV-negative subjects have identified several associations between circulating immune cell populations and impaired glucose tolerance, including increased activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and reduced regulatory T cells. Of note, these same changes in peripheral T cell subsets are frequently observed in patients with chronic HIV infection. The goal of this study is to assess whether the circulating T cell distribution is reflective of the adipose tissue T cell distribution, and to understand whether chronic adipose tissue T cell activation may impair adipocyte (i.e., fat cell) function and insulin sensitivity. If the investigators' hypotheses are correct, this will demonstrate that chronic peripheral immune activation (i.e., high memory T cells, low naïve cells, and increased expression of activation surface markers) is associated with greater adipose-resident CD4+ and CD8+ T cell expression of activation markers, adipose tissue inflammation, and insulin resistance.

Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach to Improve Integration of HIV Prevention and Treatment Services

East and Southern Africa is home to 6.2% of the world's population but includes 54% of all people living with HIV (PLWH). In this region, three out of five PLWH are women, and there is a particularly high burden of HIV amongst adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Over half of African women use family planning (FP) services. Integration of HIV prevention and treatment with FP services holds promise for supporting progress toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets for testing, treatment, and prevention. Nonetheless, integration of even basic HIV prevention and treatment services into FP clinics remains low and how best to integrate these services is still unknown. In a previous trial, the Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach (SAIA), was an effective implementation strategy for improving HIV counseling and testing in a small selection of FP clinics in Mombasa County, Kenya when delivered by research staff. SAIA incorporates a cascade analysis tool, sequential process flow mapping, and cycles of micro-intervention development, implementation, and assessment to improve a care cascade. More data is needed to understand if SAIA is effective for also improving linkage to HIV care and screening and linkage to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in FP clinics when SAIA is delivered at scale by Kenyan public health workforce. The first objective of this study is to conduct a cluster-randomized trial evaluating the effectiveness of SAIA versus control (usual procedures with no specific intervention) for increasing HIV counseling, testing, linkage to HIV care, and screening and linkage to PrEP in new FP clients and new and returning AGYW clients. There will be a particular focus on the HIV prevention and treatment of AGYW in this study and any AGYW presenting for FP care will be prioritized. Quantitative and qualitative data will be analyzed using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate the program's Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance. To understand how SAIA could be integrated into national Ministry of Health policies and programs, activity-based costing will be conducted to estimate the budget and program impacts of SAIA, scaled to a County level, from a Ministry of Health perspective. It is hypothesized that compared to control, SAIA will be effective at increasing HIV counseling, HIV testing, linkage to HIV care, and screening and linkage to PrEP for new FP clients and all new and returning AGYW FP clients when delivered at scale by Kenyan public health staff. The implementation evaluation, costing, and budget impact analysis will establish a road map for national-level implementation, positioning Kenya as a global leader in integrating FP/HIV services.

Development of a Silica Microparticle Taggant System to Measure ART Adherence

Developing technologies to help measure and provide tools to support medication-taking behaviors (medication adherence) is an important step to ending the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. TruTag Technologies has pioneered the use of a microparticle system that can be incorporated into the coating of medications may help users both identify the medication they are taking and record adherence events. By using a standard smartphone camera, shining light on TruTag-coated medications automatically identifies them to an onboard smartphone app which then indirectly records the adherence event. This study evaluates the real-world usability and feasibility of operating this system among people living with HIV (PLWH).

Increasing HIV/STI Home Testing Via a Digital Intervention Among Black Women

The proposed intervention is a web-based intervention guided by theoretical components to increase HIV home testing among Black women at risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a HIV hotspot in the South. The intervention will promote using the home test, linkage to care, and linkage to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) evaluation. The intervention has the potential to be implemented on a large scale and tailored based on location and population to increase testing, treatment, and PrEP adoption.