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README
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1995-06-25
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AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service (ACTIS)
The AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service (ACTIS) is a
central resource providing current information on federally
and privately sponsored clinical trials for AIDS patients,
those infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),
and their health care providers. This free service is a
Public Health Service (PHS) project provided collaboratively
by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food
and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases, and the National Library of
Medicine.
AIDS clinical trials evaluate experimental drugs for adults
and children at all stages of HIV infection from patients
who are HIV-positive with no symptoms to those with various
symptoms of AIDS. Clinical trials also evaluate vaccines for
adults at all stages of HIV infection and for adults who are
not HIV positive. The clinical trials also evaluate
therapies for the treatment of opportunistic infections
related to HIV/AIDS.
The AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service is free and
easy to use, one toll-free number (1-800-TRIALS-A) puts
callers in touch with experienced health specialists who
provide information about AIDS clinical trials. These
specialists access databases featuring information on AIDS
studies currently underway. These databases, AIDSTRIALS and
AIDSDRUGS, are available free of charge through the NLM
MEDLARS service. AIDSTRIALS and AIDSTRIALS may be accessed
via the Internet. A user code, available free of charge
from NLM, is required. An application form is available on
this gopher.
Information is available on:
Purpose of the study protocol
Studies that are open
Study locations
Eligibility requirements (inclusion/exclusion criteria)
Names and telephone numbers of contact persons
Callers can receive this information over the telephone or
by searching online themselves.
What Is an AIDS Clinical Trial?
An AIDS clinical trial is a study conducted to help find
effective therapies to treat people infected with HIV, the
virus that causes AIDS. Patients choose to take part in
clinical trials for many reasons. Usually patients hope for
benefits for themselves a cure for the disease, a longer
time to live, a way to feel better. Joining a study means
taking positive action. Many want to contribute to a
research effort that may help others. AIDS clinical trials
for experimental therapies follow strict guidelines to
protect participants' privacy and safety.
Why Are Clinical Trials Important?
AIDS clinical trials fill an urgent need to find ways to
treat the millions of people who are or who will be infected
with HIV. Clinical trials provide important information
about new treatments, benefits and risks, effectiveness, and
dosages. Clinical studies also help improve patient care by
identifying which treatments and drugs work best. Many new
therapies are designed on the basis of what has worked in
past trials.
Can Anyone with HIV Infection Join a Clinical Trial?
To be eligible to participate in an AIDS clinical trial, an
individual must meet the study's eligibility criteria.
Eligibility criteria are different for each study and may
include a person's age, symptoms of HIV infection or other
illnesses, laboratory test results, and past treatments.
Applicants for clinical trials are evaluated on an
individual basis by the study's clinical investigator and
other health care providers.
May 1995