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L'ENTREVISTA

DESTACATS

RESEARCH

Research is an important part of the Foundation’s work. We are a pioneering group in research in the HIV field.

At research level, the Foundation is structured in five medical research lines, a psychological one and also a dietetics line.

RESEARCH LINES

Toxicity and new treatment strategies

With regard to antiretroviral-associated toxicity, the group investigate different fields, mainly in lipodystrophy and metabolic and bone disorders, studying the aetiopathogenic mechanisms envolved (mitochondrial toxicity,apoptosis, intracellular interactions, pharmacogenetics...) and reviewing resolution strategies. The line is also involved in research into new strategies in antiretroviral treatment.

Coinfection by hepatotropic viruses. Cohorts

The hepatotropic virus coinfection line investigates the reciprocal relationship between HIV infection and coinfection by the hepatitis virus (B, C and G). Thus, most of the clinical studies address the treatment of infection by the hepatitis C and B virus in carriers of HIV infection. Moreover, it controls terminal phase HIV-positive patients with liver disease and evaluates possible candidates for liver transplantation and also performs liver elastographs with Fibroscan on seropositive patients coinfected with hepatitis B or C.

The cohort line deals with with the follow-up of different cohorts of HIV infection carriers (Piscis cohort, cohort of antiretroviral-naive patients, "long term non progressors").

Clinical Pharmacology

The clinical pharmacology line investigates the behaviour of antirretroviral drugs in the organism (pharmacokinetics), and the interactions between the antirretroviral drugs themselves and other drugs normally used in HIV-infected patients. Furthermore, it also investigates the relation between exposure to drugs and the viral resistances and the treatment results (pharmacodynamics).

Resistances

The resistances line investigates all the clinical application of analyses into the evolution of HIV-1 resistances to antiretroviral drugs. Clinical tests in the treatment of patients with "strains" resistant to HIV-1, and new drugs with extended activity against multiresistant "strains" and new strategies with respect to this scenario are primordial objectives. In addition the practical clinical application of knowledge of HIV-1 mutations that condition resistance or lead to a limited response to the drugs. It is involved in providing support to clinics in treating multiresistant patients and in publishing guides of consensus on dealing with these cases.

Opportunistic infections and coinfection by the papilloma virus

This line addresses research into opportunistic diseases related to HIV. It also works on the description of the prevalence and incidence of the human papilloma virus, in men and in women, as well as in its treatment. It participates in a study to assess the efficacy of a vaccine against the papilloma virus.

Immunology and vaccines

The immunology and vaccine research line coordinates the monitoring and clinical and immunovirological control of patients participating in studies addressing the structured withdrawal of antiretroviral treatment. Some of these studies combine this strategy with immunomodulators or therapeutic vaccines. Other research lines include the search for immunological improvement through the action of the growth hormone or a vaccine based on dendritic cells. It coordinates clinical application of the Hivacat programme in the hospital.

Psychology

The psychology line conducts different studies focused on the quality of life of people that live with HIV, the possible impact of antiretroviral treatmenton their emotional state, the possible effect on neurocognitive and motor functioning, personality and HIV, or in new conditions emerging in the actual infection, and which are related to the psychological situation of the HIV-positive person. It is also in charge of different multicentre studies, and participates in other studies promoted by our Fundació, or else in studies by other centres.

Dietetics

The HIV Dietetics Unit participates in numerous clinical trials, assessing body composition, by means of anthropometry, bioelectrical impedance, DEXA and CT, as well as monitoring.

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