AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA) - Summer 2002

New Directory of HIV Trials Available
ACRIA's Spring 2002 edition of HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials: A Directory for New York State is now available for people living with HIV and their care providers. In addition to providing the most comprehensive listing available of enrolling HIV trials within the New York metropolitan area, the directory offers valuable information on the clinical trials process and patient assistance programs. Unfortunately, ACRIA's AIDS Institute funding for this project only allows us to print 5,000 copies of the directory, almost all of which had been distributed by the end of May. However, copies should be available to the public at medical facilities and other agencies offering care to people with HIV throughout New York State. The publication can also be read in its entirety in PDF format on our web site and through our searchable online database.

ResPAC Meeting for Behavioral Science Held
The Research Policy Advisory Committee for New York State (ResPAC) held its second group meeting on April 4th at amfAR's offices - this time to discuss research priorities for HIV behavioral issues. Chief among the discussion was identifying studies that could bring about better prevention strategies for a variety of at-risk populations. Findings from this meeting, as well as those from the previous meeting on epidemiology research, will be available to the public on ACRIA's web site later this year. ACRIA wants to particularly thank Beatrice Krauss, Executive Director of Hunter College's Center on AIDS, Drugs and Community Health, for her leadership on this project as chair of the behavioral research group.

ACRIA Provides Technical Assistance in Detroit
ACRIA recently began an HIV treatment education technical assistance initiative in the Detroit area. Twenty-six non-medical service providers and community members, representing fourteen Michigan organizations, participated in a multi-day training conducted by ACRIA staff in January. We have continued to provide follow-up support to participants since, including a follow-up training in May, to help members of the Detroit community develop lasting HIV treatment education programs and incorporate community-based treatment education into the provision of social services.

Southeastern Michigan is one of four regions outside of New York State to participate in ACRIA's national technical assistance program to date. We offer comprehensive, on-site training to help participants develop and expand the practical skills and treatment knowledge needed to educate and counsel people living with HIV. ACRIA has made a sustained commitment to each community to ensure that program participants receive ongoing support to become and remain effective HIV treatment educators. Thanks to a major grant from Ortho Biotech, ACRIA will be able to offer this service in two additional areas of the country during the next year.

ENROLLING ACRIA TRIALS

Ampligen and HAART: Protocol AMP 719
This trial will study the effects and safety of adding Ampligen to HAART and see if it helps to lower viral load.

Adults with a CD4 count over 300, and a viral load between 500 and 30,000 may be eligible for this study. The first 10 people in the trial will receive infusions of Ampligen twice a week, and take HAART. Later groups will either receive infusions at entry or receive them 6 months later.

The study will last 48 weeks during which time participants will make 21 visits to ACRIA. All blood tests, study visits and study drugs will be provided at no charge to the participants. Once enrolled in the study, there will be a reimbursement of $25 per visit to cover lost time from work, transportation costs and/or meals.

For more information, call Dr. Douglas Mendez at 212-924-3934, ext. 126.

Ampligen and Treatment Interruptions: Protocol AMP 720
This trial will study whether Ampligen can extend the time people can interrupt HAART, before viral load rebounds.

Adults who are taking HAART, and who have a CD4 count over 400 and viral load below 50, will take HAART and receive infusions of Ampligen, or take HAART without Ampligen, for 2 months. Then, HAART will be stopped and viral load will be checked weekly. If viral load rises above 5,000, HAART will be restarted. If viral load drops below 50 for 2 months, HAART will be stopped again. This pattern will continue for the rest of the study. People who don't receive Ampligen can take it after 14 months.

The study will last approximately 128 weeks during which time participants will make 128 visits to ACRIA. All blood tests, study visits and study drug will be provided at no charge to the participants. Once enrolled in the study, there will be a reimbursement of $25 per visit to cover lost time from work, transportation costs and/or meals.

For more information, call Dr. Douglas Mendez at 212-924-3934 ext 126.

Contributions

The following persons, corporations and organizations made major donations between March 16, 2002 and June 12, 2002 to support ACRIA's research and education efforts:

Thoughtful donations in memory of the following remind us of what is at stake in the fight against AIDS:

Barry Binkowitz, MD
Mary Lou Liddick
Clark D. Moore
Carl Parisi
Steven Wright

Contributions in support of ACRIA's vital research initiatives were made in honor of the following individuals:

Don Bacigalupi & Dan Feder
Donald Barnett
Daisy Graciano

Editor in Chief
J Daniel Stricker

Editor
James Learned

Medical Editor
Jerome A. Ernst, MD

Publications Manager
Mark Milano

ACRIA Board of Directors
Ross Bleckner, President
Donald Kotler, MD, Vice President
Vincent Wm. Gagliostro, Secretary
Charles Franchino, DC, Treasurer
Marisa Cardinale
Bob Colacello
Douglas Dieterich, MD
Tiffany Dubin
Jason Heffner
Reinaldo Herrera
Kevin Krier
Adam Lippes
Martha Nelson
Maer Roshan

In Memoriam Gary Bonasorte
Kiki Mason
David Seidner
George N. Stathakis

Medical Director
Jerome A. Ernst, MD

Executive Director
J Daniel Stricker

ACRIA is an independent, non-profit, community-based AIDS research and treatment education organization dedicated to rapidly improving the length and quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS. ACRIA studies new treatments for HIV-related diseases through its clinical research and conducts a comprehensive treatment education program. Bulk copies of ACRIA Update are available free to agencies that provide services to people living with HIV/AIDS. For more information, call Jonathan Deardoff at 212-924-3934 ext. 121.

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Copyright © 2002 - AIDS Community Research Initiative of America. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Editor, ACRIA Update, 230 West 38th Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10018; (212) 924-3934; Fax (212) 924-3936 .

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