Oral, daily use of the antiretroviral drug tenofovir is considered a key potential strategy for preventing infection of HIV. Clinical trials of the drug are in progress or proposed in numerous countries, including the U.S.
The co-authors advocate early involvement of community leaders and local investigators in the development of HIV-prophylaxis clinical trials, clear communication of research information, and the involvement of the local leaders and investigators in the development of local prevention and treatment infrastructures.
All too often, they note, studies in the last several years were marked by misinformation and miscommunication between these key constituencies.
The commentary outlines key issues involved, pointing out that, in those cases, questions about how the research should be carried out proved to be more controversial than the idea of the clinical trial itself.
"These recommended measures will help to build the type of local community trust that is the basis of successful research to find ways to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS," says lead author Robert Grant, MD, MPH, an associate investigator at the Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology and associate professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). "HIV pre-exposure chemoprophylaxis research is built on partnerships between sponsors, investigators, communities and governments."
'"/>
Contact: John Watson
jwatson@gladstone.ucsf.edu
415-734-2019
Gladstone Institutes
29-Sep-2005