The AIDS Clinical Trials Group network (ACTG) is one of the largest HIV clinical trials organizations in the world, playing a major role in setting standards of care for HIV infection and opportunistic diseases related to HIV and

AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus. Following initial infection an individual m ...

in the United States and the

developing world A developing country is a sovereign state with a lesser developed industrial base and a lower Human Development Index (HDI) relative to other countries. However, this definition is not universally agreed upon. There is also no clear agreem ...

. The ACTG is composed of, and directed by, leading clinical scientists in HIV/AIDS therapeutic research. The ACTG is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Mission

Through innovative studies of the treatment of HIV-1 infection and its complications, ACTG research focuses on: * New therapies based on knowledge of the cellular events and reactions in the development of disease (pathogenesis) * Treatment strategies to limit replication of HIV-1 and improve disease-free survival among infected individuals * Rapid development of agents (drugs or treatment strategies) that prevent or delay the complications of HIV-related disorders * HIV-1 pathogenesis through advanced laboratory investigation * Recruitment and retention of clinical trial participants who reflect the changing demographics of the AIDS epidemic * Therapeutic approaches that improve quality of life for persons with HIV-1 infection

History

The ACTG has been pivotal in providing the data necessary for the approval of therapeutic agents, as well as treatment and prevention strategies, for many opportunistic infections and malignancies. :In 1986, the original AIDS Treatment and Evaluation Units were established by the National Institutes of Health. :In 1987, the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) was established by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. :In 1991, the ACTG divided its focus into two groups and created the Adult ACTG (AACTG) and the Pediatric ACTG (PACTG). :In 1995 the AACTG restructured and created a true self-governing structure, with self-evaluation of sites, priority setting of scientific research, discretionary spending. The PACTG became its own group and an AIDS Malignancy Consortium was established under the National Cancer Institute. :In 1999 the AACTG applied for continued funding as an investigator led and run group :In 2000, the AACTG began the planning and development of international research initiatives in the developing world. :In 2005, the ACTG opened its first multinational AIDS clinical trial in 16 sites around the globe “A Phase IV, Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label Evaluation of the Efficacy of Once-Daily PI & Once-Daily Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor - Containing Therapy Combinations for Initial Treatment of HIV-1 Infected individuals from Resource - Limited Settings (PEARLS) Trial”, the results of which suggested men and women respond to antiretroviral drugs differently. :In 2006, the network was funded as one of the six NIAID-funded HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Networks.

Scientific accomplishments

* Integral involvement in new antiretroviral drug development: Zidovudine, Zalcitabine, Didanosine, Stavudine, nevirapine,

delavirdine Delavirdine (DLV) (brand name Rescriptor) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) marketed by ViiV Healthcare. It is used as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of human immunodeficiency viru ...

, indinavir,

amprenavir Amprenavir (original brand name Agenerase, GlaxoSmithKline) is a protease inhibitor (pharmacology), protease inhibitor used to treat HIV infection. It was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on April 15, 1999, for twice-a-day dosing in ...

, ritonavir * Established standards for evaluation of combination antiretroviral therapy with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors ::Strategies for sequencing of regimens or enhancing their activity ::Evaluation of approaches to salvage therapy ::Evaluation of novel immune-based therapies using

interferon Interferons (IFNs, ) are a group of signaling proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of several viruses. In a typical scenario, a virus-infected cell will release interferons causing nearby cells to heighten the ...

s, GM-CSF, G-CSF, thalidomide, IL-2, IL-12, cyclosporin (CsA), prednisone,

cytotoxic agents Cytotoxicity is the quality of being toxic to cells. Examples of toxic agents are an immune cell or some types of venom, e.g. from the puff adder (''Bitis arietans'') or brown recluse spider (''Loxosceles reclusa''). Cell physiology Treating cells ...

therapeutic immunization A therapy or medical treatment (often abbreviated tx, Tx, or Tx) is the attempted remediation of a health problem, usually following a medical diagnosis. As a rule, each therapy has indications and contraindications. There are many differen ...

* Evaluation of pharmacokinetics of novel agents and important drug interactions * Established standard of care for treatment and prevention of HIV-1 associated opportunistic complications: ::

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia ''Pneumocystis'' pneumonia (PCP), also known as ''Pneumocystis jirovecii'' pneumonia (PJP), is a form of pneumonia that is caused by the yeast-like fungus ''Pneumocystis jirovecii''. ''Pneumocystis'' specimens are commonly found in the lungs of ...

Cytomegalovirus ''Cytomegalovirus'' (''CMV'') (from ''cyto-'' 'cell' via Greek - 'container' + 'big, megalo-' + -''virus'' via Latin 'poison') is a genus of viruses in the order ''Herpesvirales'', in the family ''Herpesviridae'', in the subfamily ''Betaherpe ...

retinitis ::

Cryptococcal meningitis Cryptococcosis is a potentially fatal mycosis, fungal infection of mainly the lungs, presenting as a pneumonia, and brain, where it appears as a meningitis. Cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain and fever are seen when the ...

:: Toxoplasmic encephalitis :: Hepatitis B and

Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that primarily affects the liver; it is a type of viral hepatitis. During the initial infection people often have mild or no symptoms. Occasionally a fever, dark urine, a ...

:: Histoplasmosis :: Herpes virus infections :: Mycobacterium avium complex disease :: Tuberculosis * Established standard of care for treatment of HIV-1 associated malignancies * Evaluation of neurologic complications of HIV/AIDS - dementia, sensory neuropathy

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aids Clinical Trials Group United States Department of Health and Human Services HIV/AIDS organizations in the United States