| Literature DB >> 30869203 |
Gail E Henderson1, Margaret Waltz1, Karen Meagher2, R Jean Cadigan1, Thidarat Jupimai3, Sinéad Isaacson1, Nuchanart Q Ormsby1, Donn J Colby4, Eugène Kroon4, Nittaya Phanuphak4, Jintanat Ananworanich4,5,6, Holly L Peay7.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The South East Asia Research Collaboration in HIV (SEARCH) RV411 clinical trial in Thailand was a systematic investigation of analytic treatment interruption (ATI) in individuals diagnosed and treated since Fiebig stage I acute HIV infection. Here, we explore decision-making processes and perceptions of trial participation in a phase I trial that raised important ethical considerations, to identify potential areas of improvement in this relatively new field of HIV research. Similar considerations apply to other HIV phase I trials, especially those involving ATI, making this trial a model to identify challenges and opportunities in promoting informed choice.Entities:
Keywords: HIV clinical trials; analytic treatment interruption; informed consent; phase I clinical trials; qualitative research; research ethics
Mesh:
Substances:
Year: 2019 PMID: 30869203 PMCID: PMC6416664 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25260
Source DB: PubMed Journal: J Int AIDS Soc ISSN: 1758-2652 Impact factor: 5.396
Demographics
| Participants (n = 8) | Decliners (n = 6) | |
|---|---|---|
| Sex | ||
| Male | 7 | 5 |
| Female | 1 | 1 |
| Age (median, range) | 29.6 years (22.2 to 34.4 years) | 33.2 years (26.9 to 48.4 years) |
| Education | ||
| High school/basic technical school | 3 | |
| Advanced technical school | 1 | |
| Bachelor degree | 3 | 6 |
| Master degree or higher | 1 | |
| Time on antiretroviral treatment (median, range) | 2.7 years (2.4 to 5.4 years) | 2.6 years (2.3 to 5.4 years) |
Participant and decliner perceptions of RV411 benefits and risks at initial interview
| Topic | Participants | Decliners |
|---|---|---|
| Close monitoring (requires time commitment of up to twice weekly) | Mainly a benefit | Mainly a burden |
| Treatment Interruption |
Both risk and benefit |
Too risky |
| Altruism/reciprocity | Strong motivation | Motivating but not sufficient to offset potential risk; some worry about not helping others |
Decisional conflict mean total scores for RV411 participants and decliners
| First interview | Second interview | Final interview | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participants (n = 8) | 12.6/100 (range 0 to 33.3) | 14.6/100 (range 0 to 32.2) | 12.6/100 (range 0 to 30) |
| Decliners (n = 6) | 28.0/100 (range 7.8 to 55.6) | 19.1/100 (range 0 to 36.7) |
Figure 1Decisional conflict scores for participants and decliners.
Points to consider for clinical trial investigators
| 1. Explore potential participants’ understanding and expectations during informed consent; identify areas where additional education and discussion are needed: |
| Explore sources of potential undue influence and emphasize voluntary nature of participation. |
| While allowing for optimism, facilitate a realistic understanding of anticipated outcomes. |
| Endeavour to elicit potential participants’ perceptions of anticipated benefits and harms because they may differ from those identified by the clinical trial team. |
| More forecasting about optional procedures may be warranted, reinforcing that they are optional, do not impact trial participation, and that may involve serial procedures |
| 2. Understand motivations for and implications of declining participation: |
| Reinforce the appropriateness of diverse choices to decline participation, and if possible offer downstream research that may be more appealing to the individuals. |
| Be prepared to respond to psychosocial issues that emerge during the decision‐making process. |
| 3. Consider specific implications of recruiting participants diagnosed/treated at the acute stage of HIV infection: |
| Acute status may be related to lower perceived risk of harm and higher perceived potential for benefit from trial participation. |
| Educate all potential participants about their serological status. Understand that seronegative status may confer special psychological and material benefits, and seropositive status may confer special risks, which vary by particular location/context. |
| 4. Support participants during trial: |
| Those who are optimistic about analytic treatment interruption (ATI) may benefit from guidance that there are different ATI experiences and that they may have more anxiety than they expect during ATI. |
| Continue to discuss all potential risks of ATI, including transmission risk. |
| Confirm before each optional procedure that participant is still willing, reaffirm it is optional, and that procedures can be declined at any time without adversely affecting trial participation. |
| When negative outcomes such as viral rebound and seroconversion are experienced, be prepared to provide additional education and psychological support. |