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

College Interns Enhance ACRIA's Research

Yasmeen Khan, a third year student from Brooklyn College, and Benjamin M. Brucker, a second year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania, recently completed internships at ACRIA. Benjamin was supported by a fellowship from the New York Academy of Medicine, and Yasmeen received a scholarship from the Jewish Foundation for Education of Women.

Under the supervision of ACRIA's Medical Director and Associate Director of Research, Benjamin has developed an assessment survey to determine how a patient's connection, or lack of connection, to their community correlates with adherence to the rigorous treatment regimens for HIV/AIDS. Does community support, such as friends and neighbors, assist them in adherence? Are people who are isolated less adherent in taking their medications? This on-going ACRIA research study is focusing on patients who attend the HIV/AIDS Harlem United Day Center.

Yasmeem's research project was to develop a compendium of statistics from the web that describe the incidence of HIV/AIDS in college-aged students (18-25 years of age). She also assembled a list of questions from the web that are used to assess HIV/AIDS knowledge levels. From that large inventory, questions have been selected that are appropriate for college-aged students. ACRIA plans to use this survey to study knowledge levels about HIV/AIDS in a number of ethnic groups of college students. Brooklyn College has one of the largest and most diverse number of ethnic student clubs making this research possible. How do levels of knowledge affect risk-taking behavior in college students with different cultural backgrounds? ACRIA is trying to assess whether there are varying levels of knowledge about HIV across different cultures and how this might affect risk-taking behaviors.

ACRIA Studies Integrase Inhibitor

ACRIA has initiated a Phase II clinical trial of a new class of anti-HIV drugs called integrase inhibitors. The agent we are studying is in development by Shionogi Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline. Our protocol is designed to study the drug's safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics.

This is an exciting project for ACRIA because integrase inhibitors represent a new opportunity to thwart HIV replication through a substantially different approach than that of existing antiretroviral medications. There are now very few entirely new drug treatment classes being considered for HIV. Integrase inhibitors are designed to block HIV's ability to replicate once it has entered a T-cell's nucleus. If these drugs are safe and effective, they offer a promise of helping the many people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States who have developed resistance to the current antiretroviral medications.

ACRIA Adds New Online Donation Capacity

ACRIA now has the ability to accept donations and payment for items from the ACRIA store directly online. We just introduced our new Internet donations/purchasing option in October to make it easier for people who want to provide their support via the computer. Eventually, ACRIA would like to conduct fundraising appeals online. Send your e-mail information to jaforde@acria.org if you would prefer to receive funding requests by computer rather than by regular mail. If you want to make a donation by credit card and have Internet access, please try out our new system. Of course, ACRIA will continue to warmly welcome any support through the mail.

Check out all of the fabulous art and note cards for sale in the ACRIA store.

ENROLLING ACRIA TRIALS

Integrase Inhibitor

This trial will study the pharmacokinetics, safety and antiviral effect of S-1360, one of a new class of experimental anti-HIV medications that inhibit the integrase enzyme.

This is a ten-day study for people with HIV who have not taken antiretrovirals. People 18 years and older, with a viral load between 400 and 50,000 copies and a CD4 count over 50 may be eligible for the study. They must not have taken any protease inhibitors, nor been on any NRTIs for more than 2 weeks, nor have taken more than one dose of any NNRTI.

People in the study will be compensated up to $1,050 while they take part in the study to cover time lost from work, transportation costs, etc. For more information call Dr. Yuriy Akulov at 212-924-3934, ext. 124.

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.

Generous Contributions

The following persons, corporations and organizations made major donations between June 13, 2002 and September 15, 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
Patrick Englese
Barbara Frey
Leslie Kaliades
Charles Lewis
Thomas Massot
Carl Parisi
Joseph Tamburo

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

Fran & Jim Massot

MASTHEAD

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.

20020910
CR020910

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 .

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1985, 2001. ÆGIS. All materials appearing on ÆGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of ÆGIS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.