HIV research studies

Overview

The Harrison wing conducts a variety of drug trials and observational studies. These studies aim to improve our understanding of HIV and discover better treatments. It is up to you whether you want to take part in research and it will not affect your care in any way. A doctor or a research nurse will be very happy to give you more information and discuss your suitability for a trial. As many people are only seen every six months you may miss out on the chance to take part in some studies. If you want us to let you know about the latest studies please contact us directly or sign up for the research letter.

Please telephone 020 7188 2608/9 to speak to the clinical trials unit or email hw.research@gstt.nhs.uk.

  • Actively recruiting studies

    Patients not on antiretroviral treatment

    • Validate VALacyclovir in delaying antiretroviral treatment entry.

      This study will investigate whether using daily valacyclovir, a very well tolerated treatment for herpes infection infection, can delay when you need to take lifelong antiretroviral therapy.

      Who can join the study? CD4 count between 400-900 and not on antiretroviral treatment.

    Patients on antiretroviral treatment for at least six months

    • NEAT ID study
      The study is  investigaing the benefits of switching away from a boosted protease inhibitor (PI) to a new drug called dolutegravir on your cardiovascular health (the health of your heart). Dolutegravir has already been shown to be extremely good (and better than some HIV drugs) at keeping you viral load undetectable.
    • TaiLOR study

      A study examining the effects of Telmisartan, an angiotensin-receptor blocker, on insulin resistance.  

    Observational/non treatment studies

    • Seroconverters

      If you had a HIV negative test within one year of your positive test then this study collects CD4 and viral load results anonymously and uses it to track changes in the HIV epicdmeinc of the last 15 years.

    • HAND study
      We are using computer tests to determine if HIV-positive people might have symptoms of affected brain function and/or anxiety/depression. The information will be used to inform whether it is necessary to routinely assess HIV+ patients for the presence of anxiety/depression, decreased brain function and whether there are benefits with different antiretroviral combinations. Anyone can take part in the study.
    • PARTNER study
      A Europe-wide study for HIV positive men on HIV drugs and their HIV negative male partners designed to learn more about the risks of HIV transmission. HIV negative partners need to have an HIV test twice a year for this study.
    • aMASE
      Advancing Migrant Access to Health Services in Europe. This study examines barriers to healthcare for migrants living in England.If you were diagnosed HIV positive in the last 5 years and were not born in the UK then you are elegible. This is a survey which takes about 15mins to complete.
    • Heather
      people who have just been infected with HIV are given the option of storing blood in a biobank before starting ART with the possibility of being offered HIV reservoir clinical trials in the future.

  • Upcoming studies

    • HIV prevention
      HIV negative healthy volunteers: home post exposure prophylaxis study (PEP).  HIV negative gay men who want to take part in a PEP study where they are given PEP to start at home.
    • HIV treatment

      To start antiretroviral treatment.
      Switch off protease inhibitor based regimen to rilpivirine.                        

      New HIV diagnosis: we want to find out the effect that HIV has on medical and non medical aspects of a persons life. Previous studies have focussed on a hospital cost whereas we would llike to understand the personal cost to people as well. This study involves filling in a questionnaire three times in a 12 month period.

  • Ongoing studies (no longer recruiting)

    • cog UK study

      The purpose of this study is to compare two routinely used combination anti-HIV therapies over 48 weeks and to assess if one regimen can improve the function of your brain compared to the other. 

      The study will compare the following anti-HIV therapies:

      1. Truvada + atazanavir + ritonavir
      2. Darunavir + ritonavir + maraviroc + lamivudine +abacavir
      • to delay antiretroviral entry
    • AHI study
      Investigation of a novel intervention in acute HIV infection (AHI) on long term latent HIV reservoir size: A pilot study of antiretroviral therapy plus immunoglobulin in AHI
    • GS 0114
      The purpose of this study is to see if GS-9350 (Cobicistat) when given in combination with atazanavir and Truvada is safe and effective in reducing levels of HIV-1 in the blood of patients who are treatment-naïve (those who have not received any HIV drug treatment).
    • photon 2
      A phase three, open-label study to investigate the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin in chronic genotype 1, 2, 3 and 4, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infected subjects
    • MARCH study
      A randomised, open label study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of maraviroc (MVC) as a switch for either nucleoside or nucleotide analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (N(t)RTI) or boosted protease inhibitors (PI/r) in HIV-1 infected individuals with stable, well controlled plasma HIV-RNA while taking their first N(t)RTI + PI/r regimen of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)
    • START study

      This is looking at patients with a CD4 count greater than 500 - at this level we wouldn't normally suggest starting HIV treatment. This study involves putting people on standard treatment versus monitoring them and starting treatment later as usual, to see if earlier treatment is helpful. People in this study have additional monitoring, including heart and lung testing.

  • Healthy volunteer studies

    • maraviroc prep (no longer recruiting)
      The study is looking at concentrations of the antiretroviral drug maraviroc in blood, genital secretions and tissue samples after two doses in HIV negative participants. The tissue samples will then be exposed to HIV in the laboratory to see if the drug levels are sufficient to prevent infection
    • PROUD (no longer recruiting)

      There is already evidence from three of four clinical trials that Truvada® reduces HIV acquisition in HIV negative individuals, when taken daily, compared to a placebo. However, it’s possible that individuals who know they are taking Truvada® could increase their risk behaviour, and that this would reduce the overall benefit. This cannot be assessed in a placebo-controlled design, in which placebo controls for behavioural differences.

      PROUD is designed to assess the overall benefit of Truvada®, by randomising individuals to an offer of open label drug immediately, or after 12 months.

  • Research team

    Clinical research is performed in a friendly and supportive atmosphere by experienced research nurses and HIV physicians according to the highest ethical and regulatory standards of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and in accordance with UK clinical trial regulations.

    Doctors

    Research nurses

    • Isabelle Jendrulek
    • Antonella Zucchetti
    • Margaret-Anne Bevan
    • Tammy Murray
    • Nishma Patel

    Research manager

    • Alice Sharp

    Patient representative

    • Juliet Bosa

  • Patients

    Changing or cancelling your appointment

    To cancel or change an appointment, please telephone the research office on: 020 7188 2608/9

    If you need to cancel your appointment, please tell us as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours in advance.