Research Opportunities for Women Living with HIV

Maria L. Alcaide, M.D., PI; JoNell Potter, Ph.D. and Deborah Jones, Ph.D., Co-PIs

The Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) has 5 sites located in the South (Atlanta, Birmingham/Jackson, Chapel Hill, Miami, and Washington DC). This year, the WIHS combined with the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) of gay and bisexual men to form the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS).  The Women’s HIV Cohort study will recruit and retain 2,000 reproductive age WLH representative of the Southern epidemic into a longitudinal cohort study that will address the effects of HIV and HIV treatment in this age group. The study will use the scientific strength of WIHS to integrate high priority science in key thematic areas that are highly relevant for reproductive age women living with HIV (WLH) and will collect socio-behavioral, clinical and outcome data as well as biological specimens.  The WHCS has the potential to ultimately improve the health of young WLH, optimize the gains of ART, and contribute to ending HIV across populations in the United States.

Contact: Id.researchunit@miami.edu
Links: https://physician-news.umiamihealth.org/nih-funded-project-led-by-multidisciplinary-um-team-will-focus-on-young-women-living-with-hiv/

Isabella Rosa-Cunha, MD, PI; JoNell Potter, PhD, Co-PI

Funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under an award to the AIDS Malignancy Consortium, the ANCHOR Study aims to find the best way to prevent anal cancer among men and women living with HIV.  Early detection and treatment can improve treatment effectiveness and minimize the need for debilitating chemo-radiation and surgical interventions.  The study will help determine standard of care for the screening and prevention of anal cancer and provide insights into the progression of HPV related neoplasia.  Participants are screened for pre-cancerous anal lesions caused HPV and, if lesions are found, will be enrolled and randomized to have the lesions treated or monitored every six months up to five years.  Eligibility:  Anyone living with HIV who is 35 years or older and has no prior history of HPV related cancers. 

For more information, call 305-213-4713 or visit www.anchorstudy.org.

Gwen Scott, MD, PI; Anna Sfakianaki, MD, Co-PI

The multi-center Pediatric AIDS Cohort study (PHACS) is a long-term clinical trial for pregnant women living with HIV and their children. The PHACS study for children and their caregivers is in year 12 of recruitment, and the Women’s Health Supplement, a new PHACS sub-study, is collecting information on health and pregnancy outcomes.  The Surveillance Monitoring for ART Toxicities Study (SMARTT) follows HIV at-risk newborns to evaluate short and longer-term complications of exposure to HIV medications. 

Miami Site PIs:  Margaret Fischl, M.D.; Deborah Jones Weiss, Ph.D., M.D.; Maria Alcaide, M.D.

The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) / Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) Combined Cohort Study (MACS/WIHS-CSS) is a collaborative research effort that aims to understand and reduce the impact of chronic health conditions—including heart, lung, blood, and sleep (HLBS) disorders—that affect people living with HIV. MACS was a study of gay and bisexual men, while WIHS was a study of women who had other risk factors for HIV. A national multicenter research effort, the Miami MWCCS Center’s seven-year project is led by principal investigators. The study will recruit and follow 130 women, including 122 women who were followed under the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS), and 130 men with or at risk of HIV infection to understand the impact of chronic health conditions on those with HIV.  

Links:  https://med.miami.edu/departments/medicine/divisions/infectious-diseases/research/macs-wihs-combined-cohort-study

This National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) center aims to address and strengthen mental health-related HIV prevention and care research at the University of Miami and reduce the impact of mental health disparities as barriers to behavioral and bio-behavioral approaches in HIV prevention and care.  CHARM supports culturally-competent research addressing HIV/AIDS-related mental health factors. CHARM also collaborates with local communities and local health agencies to support community-engaged mental health HIV/AIDS research. Various research opportunities are available through the University of Miami’s CHARM Center.

Contact CHARM: charm@miami.edu  or call: 305-243-0987.

Links: https://charm.miami.edu/about-the-center/featured-research/index.html

mCARES is a multi-lingual, technology-based intervention to promote better adherence to care for minority women living with HIV. The mCARES system is currently funded under an NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCAT) KL2 Mentored Research Award, to pilot test a mobile health (mHealth) system to increase adherence to care for women living with HIV. mCARES pilot project is being developed in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.

To learn about mCARES research opportunities, including other studies included in the mCARES project, call 305-209-3327 or email Id.researchunit@miami.edu

PI: Claudia Martinez, M.D.; Co-PI Lunthita Duthely

The Stigma, Resilience and CAD study examines the relationship between intersectional stigma, resiliency and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) for women over the age of 35, who are living with HIV. This qualitative/quantitative one-year pilot study is funded under the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), through the University of Miami CHARM. To learn more about this study, contact charm@miami.edu.