AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG)

About the Program

The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) has been at the forefront of HIV research since 1987, soon after the beginning of the epidemic. The ACTG is the largest HIV clinical trials organization in the world and has conducted major trials that have advanced the standard of care for people living with HIV in the United States and around the world. The ACTG includes many of the world's leading clinical researchers. The ACTG is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

View our current studies

ACTG History

The Aids Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) was initially established in 1987 to broaden the scope of the AIDS research effort of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The ACTG established and supports the largest Network of expert clinical and translational investigators and therapeutic clinical trials units in the world, including sites in resource-limited countries. These investigators and units serve as the major resource for HIV/AIDS research, treatment, care, and training/education in their communities.

The work accomplished by the ACTG has had a profound impact on the well-being of persons infected with HIV-1. Clinical trials and laboratory studies conducted by the ACTG have made major contributions to optimizing antiretroviral therapy (ART), managing drug resistance, preventing and treating co-infections, evaluating acute and long-term toxicities, and demonstrating the importance of genetics in predicting drug toxicities. Results of these studies have helped establish the standards for the management of HIV disease and form the basis of current treatment guidelines. This progress in the treatment of HIV-1-infected individuals has resulted in dramatic reductions in death and illness due to AIDS in the U.S. and other countries of the developed world.

The mission of the ACTG is to develop and conduct scientifically rigorous research and therapeutic clinical trials in the U.S. and internationally that:

• Investigate how HIV-1 infection causes weakening of the immune system and other complications
• Evaluate new treatments for HIV and the most effective way of using existing medications
• Evaluate methods to treat and prevent infections related to HIV, including hepatitis C virus and tuberculosis
• Test ways to improve care of patients living with HIV

Why Participate in a Research Study?

Did you know?

When HIV was discovered in the early 1980's no treatment was available. All current treatment options and guidelines are the result of thousands of people with HIV volunteering and participating in clinical trials. However, there is still a lot of work to do! By signing up to be part of a clinical trial, you can help improve HIV treatment for the future.

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a well-planned research study carried out by doctors, nurses and other study staff members. Different studies will have different purposes, last different lengths of time, have different criteria for qualifying, and involve different tasks for participants. Some trials may involve taking an additional medicine while others could only involve simple blood or saliva samples. It's up to you to decide if any particular study is something you are interested in or not. If you are interested in participating in a study but concerned about what is involved, a study nurse or doctor will explain all the details, time requirements, and safety precautions to you before signing up. Even once you are enrolled in a study, you will be in close contact with the study nurses and doctors, study staff, and your physician- all of whom will gladly answer any questions and address any concerns you may have along the way. You are free to leave a study at any time and it will not affect the care you receive from your doctor.

What about safety?

Federal, state and local government have strict rules researchers must follow to protect people taking part in clinical trials. These rules require each institution to have an independent Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB assures that the safety and rights of participants are protected and that studies are well planned. All research studies have to be approved by the IRB. Also, patients are monitored very closely throughout the study by the doctors and nurses to check for any side effects.

What about cost?

Most studies will pay for all study related costs however you or your insurance will usually need to pay for any costs that are part of your routine care. In addition, you will be reimbursed for your travel expenses and you may get paid if a study requires a lot of your time or special tests.

How to get involved

If you are interested in participating in research, please contact us with any additional questions or concerns. Talk with your primary care provider about our current studies and any you are interested in to make sure they are right for you. To speak with a study nurse, call (617) 726-3819 for more information.

Clinical trials at other local research sites

The Harvard/Boston Medical Center/Miriam Hospital AIDS Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) comprises a consortium of five Clinical Research Sites (CRS) located at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Boston Medical Center (BMC) and the Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Each of the five CRSs is affiliated with the national AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) and throughout its 26-year history investigators of this CTU have made major contributions to therapeutic research in AIDS and have played a critical role in the scientific leadership of the ACTG.

As the principal investigator of the CTU, Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes oversees all scientific, clinical, laboratory and administrative aspects of the CTU and its component CRSs. Dr. Kuritzkes is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Chief of Infectious Diseases at BWH. Dr. Kuritzkes is also Chair of the national AIDS Clinical Trials Group.

A principal strength of the Harvard/BMC/Miriam Hospital CTU is the outstanding group of investigators and study staff located at each of the five CRSs- who are experienced, productive and well-respected leaders in HIV clinical research.

How can I learn more about clinical trials at other local research sites?

To learn more, contact the CRS Study Coordinator at:

• Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center:
  Andrea Kershaw, ANP: 617-632-7627
• Boston Medical Center:
  Betsy Adams, RN 617-414-7082
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital:
  Cheryl Keenan, RN: 617-732-5635
• Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI:
  Pam Poethke, RN 401-793-4971

Our Studies

The ACTG conducts clinical trials on a wide range of HIV-related topics, including:

• Never Taken HIV Medication
• HPV Vaccine for Women
• HIV/HCV
• Switching or Restarting Medication
• Vaccine Studies
• Immune Activation

Browse our active clinical trials

Dr. Raj Gandhi is the Clinical Site Leader for the Massachusetts General Hospital Clinical Research Site (CRS) and the Director of HIV Clinical Services and Education in the Department of Infectious Diseases. He is also the director of the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research Clinical Core. Dr. Gandhi is an experienced HIV clinician and clinical investigator. He has had a leadership role in numerous protocols that have been implemented through the national AIDS Clinical Trials Group. Dr. Gandhi’s main research focus is in HIV reservoirs, the role of the immune system in controlling chronic viral infections, such as HIV, HBV and HCV and therapeutic vaccines.

Teri Flynn, MSN, ANP is the Harvard/Boston Medical Center/Miriam Hospital CTU Study Coordinator. Teri has had a leadership role in clinical HIV research at Mass General since 1983 and has been involved with the ACTG since its inception in 1986. She serves on numerous national ACTG committees and works closely with the Community Advisory Board. Teri oversees the day-to-day operations of the Mass General Clinical Research Site.

Amy Sbrolla, BSN, RN is the Senior Research Study Nurse at the Mass General Clinical Research Site. Amy has extensive research experience and has worked in the ACTG for over twelve years. Her national ACTG involvement includes protocol team and committee memberships. Amy had a leadership role in the Boston-based training for Botswana-HSPH Partnership CTU and traveled to Gaborone to help with on-site training as well.

Gilbert Roy, BS is the Regulatory Coordinator and the Senior Data Manager for the Mass General Clinical Research Site. Gilbert has over twenty years of experience in the area of regulatory compliance and data management. He serves as the chief resource data management person for the Harvard wide ACTU. Gilbert also assisted in the training of the Botswana-HSPH Partnership CTU research study staff.

Eileen Ing, BA is the research assistant for the Mass General clinical research site. Eileen graduated from Brown University with a BA in Community Health. Eileen assists with study recruitment and administrative support for the Mass General study staff.

Community Advisory Board

The Community Advisory Board (CAB) is a group of diverse community volunteers that provides input to the AIDS Clinical Trials Unit (ACTU). From the community prospective, the CAB provides a forum to voice concerns and discuss aspects of clinical trials such as protocol development, participant recruitment/retention, study implementation and research findings. This partnership between the CAB and the CTU has led to increased community awareness and understanding of HIV treatments and the importance of HIV/AIDS clinical trials and HIV research.

Educational Awareness Sessions

The Community Advisory Board conducts three educational awareness sessions each year. The sessions are offered to persons living with HIV and include a:

• PowerPoint presentation facilitated by a Board member
• Research nurse who explains informed consent, the research process, and answers questions
• Testimonial from a trials participant

Meetings and Membership

The Community Advisory Board meets quarterly at each of the Boston Clinical Research Sites which include: Massachusetts General Hospital; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Brigham and Women’s Hospital; and Boston Medical Center. Meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity for CAB members and volunteers to:

• Network and share information
• Understand the clinical research process
• Learn about new trials
• Provide general feedback, voice concerns, and make suggestions about the trials
• Help with educational awareness efforts

How can I learn more or get involved with the Community Advisory Board?

If your organization or group would like to host an educational awareness session or if you would like to learn more about the CAB or becoming a member, please contact:

Teri Flynn, MSN, ANP, CTU Coordinator
Massachusetts General Hospital
617-726-3819