CAB MEETING MINUTES

September 28, 2004 

Six CAB members and 3 staff members attended the September 2004 meeting of the UTMB Galveston AIDS Clinical Trials Unit Community Advisory Board (CAB).

Report from Dr. O'Brien

• Dr. O’Brien reported that we needed an average of 7-8 enrollments a month to meet our minimum goals.  The average at present is 5 per month.

•  ACTG Exec. Group reported that UTMB’s ACTU would experience a $58,000 cut in funding due to our low enrollments.  The plan is for Dr. O’Brien and staff to really “push” these next three months on enrollments.  Candidates must have a loss of regimen effectiveness or failure in order to meet inclusion criteria for most studies.  It is hoped that the new Naïve study (December 2004) will help with enrollments. .

• The HIV Prevention of Transmission Network and the Pediatric ACTU have merged in order to share resources.

CAB Business

• Robert shared with the group a 1-day Kaletra study
• David brought up issue about referrals coming from the community to the ACTU and that community perception seems to be that individuals referred are not being enrolled
      Possible reasons why this may be occurring
  • Individuals referred may have unrealistic expectations
  • Further discussion revealed many referred were not on any treatment therefore were automatically excluded from the majority of trials
  • Lack of information available to newly diagnosed from peer perspective and level
  • Clinic co-pay issues (DAMP)
  • Other exclusion criteria written into the study itself
      Possible solutions
  • Patient centered fact sheets about the studies being offered
  • Create a Peer Mentoring Program for newly diagnosed or treatment naïve individuals
  • More presentations/educational reviews given to referring agencies so they become more knowledgeable about studies

• Maryann resigned her position as Secretary.  Miguel offered to take minutes.  Robert will call a “special election”.  (See details below on how to nominate a candidate.

Community Outreach

• CAB TOE production is still scheduled for Nov. 30^th and December 1^st.  Contributions needed for the reception and advertising.  

• ACCT, Inc. has decided to plan a World AIDS Day activity and will not be able to fully support the CAB TOE project.  Everyone agreed this was unfortunate but realized that the CAB-TOE project might only reach certain communities and all projects should be supported in order to reach our diverse communities.

• Volunteers are needed for two health fairs.  Interested people, please contact Denise a.s.a.
  o        Saturday, October 9^th, 4p-6p @ Saengerfest Park
  o        Friday, October 15^th, Moody Methodist Church World Latino AIDS Day (times, tba)

• Denise shared that ACTU will be getting new promotional items for health fairs and community outreach.

• ACTU Advertisements were discussed - group agreed to place ads in  Houston Voice and OutSmart Magazine with a special emphasis  on two studies (HIV Vaccine Therapy (A52197) & Oral HIV-1 Entry Inhibitor (A5211).  Annual AACTG Meeting (December, 2004) was discussed.  Only one member will be funded this year.  Members recommended that new co-Chair, Tommy be approached about attending.  Robert will do so.

Handouts

·         CDC Important Forum Satellite Broadcast & Webcast – “Rapid Testing: Advances for HIV Prevention”  (Note:  This item will be discussed at the next meeting)

·         HIV/AIDS Clinical Treatment Trials – Updated 9/20/04

NEXT CAB MEETING 

When:       Tuesday, October 26, 2004, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. 
                  Refreshments and light meal available at 5:15 p.m. 

Where:     UTMB-Marvin Graves Building, 1012 Texas Ave. (The Strand), 4th floor Conference Room #4.208.  Public parking available at Garage #2 next to the UTMB Emergency Room on Harborside Drive.  Parking tokens available to meeting  attendees.  (See map for directions.)

Agenda:    Organization - A special election for CAB Secretary has been called.
Review Handout re:  Satellite Broadcast (Nov. 18) “Rapid Testing: Advances for HIV Prevention” for discussion.
CAB-TOE Project Update.

Note: A special election for CAB Secretary has been called for the October 2004 CAB meeting

Reminders:  Guests are welcomed to attend CAB meetings.

                  Next national CAB call is October 28, 2004. CAB calls are open to all community members interested in the Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group (AACTG) and HIV/AIDS research.  Call-in time: 12:40 pm (Central), Toll-free# 1-888-422-7101, Access Code 240946

Any questions, please call 409-747-0214 or toll-free 877-324-ACTU (2288).  You can also email Anthony Garcia or Denise Justice.  While reservations are not required, calling in advance helps us better plan for food and parking tokens and we like to hear from you! 

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