ACTG Highlights

and ACTG 016, a study of AZT in persons with early HIV symptoms that also had been stopped because the
drug was found to delay disease progression.
Recently, a DSMB stopped a study because early results showed that oral fluconazole was as effective and
less toxic than the standard therapy, intravenous amphotericin B, in preventing recurrences of cryptococcal
meningitis in AIDS patients. NIAID immediately issued a Note to Physicians to some 18,000 doctors and
followed up with a press release a week later.
All of these materials have been made available to patients and the general public through the Public Health
Service toll-free clinical trials information service (1-800-TRIALS-A).
ACT UP ALLEGES
The ACTG has failed to conduct research on therapies for the prevention or treatment of Ols and cancers.
THE FACTS
Untrue. Up to May 1, 1990, the ACTG has studied 28 agents for the prevention or treatment of Ols and 12
cancer therapies. Of the 33 new ACTG studies approved thus far for initiation in 1990, 12 are studies of 01
therapies or prophylaxis and 3 are for HIV-associated malignancies.
ACT UP ALLEGES
The ACTG produces data for drug companies rather than finding treatments that would be helpful to people
with AIDS.
THE FACTS
ACTG studies identify the safest and best therapies, including combination therapies, that physicians can use
in treating their patients with HIV-related disease. Some, but not all, ACTG studies lead to FDA approval
and, therefore, general availability of new, efficacious AIDS drugs--a result that is squarely in the public
interest
ACT UP ALLEGES
The decision-making of some ACTG researchers is influenced by their receipt of subsidies from
pharmaceutical companies.
THE FACTS
The success of applied biomedical research in the United States and in other countries is due largely to
collaboration between government, academia, and industry. Concerns about the potential appearance of
conflict of interest, given this collaboration and the prevailing reality of consulting arrangements between
investigators and industry, are being addressed by the entire National Institutes of Health. MAID and the
ACTG will, of course, work within the NIH policies that are developed. In any case, individual investigators
do not have the authority to direct or dictate ACTG research priorities.
ACT UP ALLEGES
ACTG trials have denied participants life-saving therapy or prophylaxis.
THE FACTS
U2 me. Therapy or prophylaxis proven to be effective is permitted in ACTG trials.