Welcome to the AIDS Clinical Trials Unit at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals of Cleveland (Case ACTU). The Case ACTU has been in operation since 1987 and is a leader in clinical treatment trials research for the management of HIV infection. The ACTU is one of 33 units that comprise the national Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group (AACTG). More than 40 faculty and staff maintain the ACTU and participate in the design and implementation of new treatment trials for HIV infections and its complications, with an emphasis on trials designed to explore key questions in HIV pathogenesis. Through linkage to the Case Center for AIDS Research and its research cores, the Case ACTU has achieved top ranked status within the AACTG.
More than 1,300 people have volunteered to participate in HIV treatment trials at the Case ACTU.
For a critique of "Out of Control: AIDS and the corruption of medical science" which was published in the March 2006 issue of Harper's Magazine, please click here.
For More Information on the ACTU, Click Below:
Frequently Asked Questions about Clinical Trials
HIV Testing at the AIDS Clinical Trials Unit
Frequently Asked Questions about Clinical Trials
What is a clinical trial? A clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about new therapies or new ways of using established therapies. Clinical trials are used to find out whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Most current drug therapies were first developed in past clinical trials.
Why should I consider joining a clinical trial? There are several reasons that people say they join a clinical trial.
Many people who are in clinical trials like the personalized medical attention that they receive. Each clinical trial has at least one study nurse who is assigned to the trial. The study nurse is available to you to answer any questions that you may have.
Many clinical trials provide more frequent monitoring of people's health than is normally done for non-clinical trial patients. While this may require more visits than you are used to, you will have regular up-to-date reports on your health.
Some trials provide people access to new drugs or therapies that are not available to the larger HIV+ community. Many of these drugs are provided at no cost to the trial participants.
Many people say that participating in a clinical trial gives them the sense that they are helping not only themselves, but everyone who is HIV-positive. (And they are right about that !!!!)
I like my current doctor. If I join a clinical trial, do I have to switch doctors? No. The AIDS Clinical Trials Unit will work closely with your primary doctor. All laboratory reports from the clinical trial will be sent to your primary doctor. If we find that you need some type of treatment that is outside of the trial, you will be referred back to your primary doctor.
Will I be told of everything about a trial before I decide to participate? Yes, everyone thinking about entering a trial is provided written information detailing the risks, benefits and procedures involved in the trial. Any questions that you have will be answered by a Clinical Trial staff person.
If the treatment I am getting in a clinical trial isn’t working for me, can my therapy be switched? Yes, in some cases the treatment can be switched while you stay on the trial. In other cases, you may have to stop the clinical trial. In either case, this will be discussed with you and your primary doctor before any changes are made.
Do you have any trials for my situation? That depends. New trials open each month. We make an effort to have trials for HIV+ people who have different medical needs, such as those who are failing current therapies, studies for persons who have never received antiviral therapies, and studies of complications or side effects from taking medications.
For information on trials at the University Hospitals of Cleveland Main Unit, call 216-844-AIDS or email us.
For information on the MetroHealth Subunit, call 216-778-5489.
For additional information or comments on the website, events, or community outreach, please call 216-844-2247 or email us.
Email us your comments
The AIDS Clinical Trials Unit and The John Carey Special Immunology Unit at University Hospitals of Cleveland offers FREE anonymous and confidential HIV testing. This service is offered Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesdays until 7 p.m.
For more information on HIV Testing at the Clinical Trials Unit, call 216.844.2437.
An article appearing in the March 2006 edition of Harper's magazine "Out of Control: AIDS and the corruption of medical science" by Celia Farber calls into question many basic tenets of current AIDS treatment and research. While always supportive of challenges to the status quo, we are concerned about the many inaccuracies and false conclusions reached in the article.
Dr. Michael M. Lederman, Principal Investigator of the Case/UHC AIDS Clinical Trials Unit and Director of the Case/UHC Center for AIDS Research, has rebutted many of the factual statements and conclusions in the article.
Dr. Lederman's comments may be reviewed by clicking here (Adobe pdf 9MB) Please be patient as the file is quite large. Dr. Lederman's comments can be viewed by placing the cursor over the yellow dialogue boxes which appear in the article.
For additional comments on Celia Farber's article in Harpers go to: http://www.aidstruth.org/
If you have any questions or comments, they may be addressed to Bob Bucklew at 216.844.2247 or bucklew.robert@clevelandactu.org
Updated: March 29, 2006