Cox Building, Room 626
55 Fruit St
Boston,
MA
02114
Phone: 617-726-3819
Email: actg@partners.org
The Advancing Clinical Trials Globally (ACTG) has been at the forefront of HIV research since 1987, soon after the beginning of the epidemic. It 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 globe. The ACTG includes many of the world's leading clinical researchers. The organization is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
The 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 individuals 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 ACTG’s mission is to continue to conduct research to improve the management of HIV and its comorbidities; develop a cure for HIV; and innovate treatments for tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and emerging infectious diseases.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
The ACTG conducts clinical trials on a wide range of HIV-related topics, including:
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.
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.
Dr. Raj Gandhi is the Vice Chair of the ACTG, as well as Chair of the Scientific Agenda Steering Committee of the ACTG and Clinical Site Leader for the Massachusetts General Hospital Clinical Research Site (MGH CRS). He is the Principal Investigator and Co-Director of the Harvard Center for AIDS Research. Dr. Gandhi is also the Director of HIV Education in the Department of Infectious Diseases. Dr. Gandhi is an experienced HIV clinician and clinical investigator, serving in numerous leadership roles in protocols that have been implemented through the ACTG. Dr. Gandhi’s main research focus is on HIV reservoirs, therapeutic vaccines, and the role of the immune system in controlling chronic viral infections, such as HIV.
Amy Sbrolla, BSN, RN, ACRN is the Unit Coordinator at the MGH clinical research site. She has over 25 years of experience as a clinical research nurse. 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 onsite training.
Katrina Shea BSN, RN is a clinical research nurse for the ACTG MGH clinical research site. She has over 10 years of experience as a nurse and has been part of the ACTG MGH site since 2020. She is responsible for recruiting, enrolling and managing clinical research participants.
Adah Freeman is the clinical research coordinator for the ACTG Mass General clinical research site. Adah graduated from NC State University with a BS in Biology. Adah aids in the recruitment, conduct, and research administration of ACTG studies at Mass General, as well as interfacing with community groups in the Boston area.
The Boston HIV Community Advisory Board (CAB) of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Brigham & Women’s Hospital (BWH), Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and The Fenway Institute (TFI) presents community perspectives and provides informed commentary about the conduct of the studies/research. The CAB takes a dedicated role in shaping strategies for the dissemination of important HIV/AIDS research findings, risk reduction and wellness. The CAB works to achieve ongoing and new community support for current and future biomedical, behavioral, and prevention studies.
A research CAB is a group that speaks for the concerns of the community on HIV and other public health issues related to research.
The CAB offers a chance to interact with nationally recognized researchers and participate in the “behind-the-scenes” happenings of world class studies.
CAB members provide input to research staff and investigators about study design, protocols, enrollment, recruitment efforts and community education.
Anyone interested in representing community perspectives is welcome to volunteer as a Community Advisory Board member. The CAB is your voice!
CAB meetings are held on the first Monday of each month, either by Zoom or in person.
If you would like to learn more about the CAB or becoming a member, please contact:
Amy Sbrolla, BSN, RN
Massachusetts General Hospital
617-726-3819
