Table 1. Demographics and attitude towards joining ATI studies by clusters Cluster A (n=22) Most concerned Cluster B (n=12) Cluster C (n=21) Cluster D (n=14) Cluster E (n=6) Least concerned Gender* - Male 20 (91%) 11 (92%) 21 (100%) 13 (93%) 6 (100%) Female * all participants were cisgender 2 (9%) 1 (8%) 0 (0%) 1 (7%) 0 (0%) Ethnicity - White or Caucasian 14 (64%) 11 (92%) 16 (76%) 14 (100%) 5 (83%) Ethnicities other than white 8 (36%) 1 (8%) 5 (24%) 0 (0%) 1 (17%) Median age (IQR) 42 (35 – 50) 45.5 (37.5 – 51) 41 (32 – 47) 40.5 (34 – 47) 44 (41 – 44) Born outside UK 11 (50%) 4 (33%) 9 (43%) 8 (57%) 2 (33%) Male respondents: Sex of sexual partners – Men only 21 (100%) 9 (92%) 20 (95%) 13 (100%) 5 (83%) Women only 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) 1 (17%) Men and women 0 (0%) 1 (8%) 1 (5%) 0 (0%) 0 (0%) Female respondents: Sex of sexual partners – Men only 1 (50%) 1 (100%) - 1 (100%) - Men and women 1 (50%) 0 (0%) - 0 (0%) - Responded Yes to Q12 (Would be interested in taking part in a cure study involving ATI 4 (18%) 7 (58%) 7 (33%) 7 (50%) 4 (67%) Enrolled in RIO study 0 (0%) 1 (8%) 2 (10%) 1 (7%) 0 (0%) EACS2023: 474 Informing the design of HIV cure trials including antiretroviral treatment interruptions: the voices of people living with HIV M. Lee , S. Collins , P. Godakandaarachchi , M. Racz , A. Sharp , S. Fidler , J. Fox Imperial College London, Department of Infectious Disease, London, United Kingdom, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Jefferiss Wing, London, United Kingdom, Guy's and St Thomas Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Department of Metabolic Medicine/Chemical Pathology, London, United Kingdom, HIV i-Base, London, United Kingdom, Guy's and St Thomas Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Harrison Wing, London, United Kingdom General data Abstract category: Antiretroviral therapy – observational studies Abstract body Purpose: Clinical trials of HIV cure require a period of intensively monitored treatment interruption (TI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART). As individuals who started ART during primary infection (PHI) are often targeted for such studies due to their low HIV reservoir, we surveyed a PHI cohort, already enrolled in an observational study, to understand their motivations and concerns around TI. Method: People who were diagnosed with PHI and started ART immediately, consented to complete a digital survey in clinic. Questions comprised of sociodemographics, motivations, concerns and practical considerations influencing willingness to participate in studies involving TI. Hierarchical clustering of responses was performed using the ‘pheatmap’ R statistical package and ranked from most to least concerned. Responses were cross-referenced with enrolment into an TI study (RIO) which recruited from this cohort. Results: Of 75 survey participants, 29 (39%) were interested in joining TI studies. The majority were white, cis-male, and men who have sex with men. Participants were most interested in participating to help scientific research (Figure 1a). Eliminating the risk of HIV-related health problems and not passing HIV to sexual partners were the most desirable expectations of a cure (Figure 1b). There were five clusters of concerns around interrupting treatment (Table 1, Figure 2). None of the four RIO participants enrolled from the clusters with the highest or lowest levels of concern. 63% of respondents lived within 40 minute of the clinic, the most accepted frequesncy of VL monitoring during TI was weekly (Table 2). Table 2. Practical considerations for joining TI studies Question Number of responses % How long does it take for you to get to the HIV clinic from home in minutes? - <20 minutes 12 16 21 – 40 minutes 35 47 41 - 60 minutes 20 27 >60 minutes 8 11 Are you in paid employment – Yes 65 87 How often would you want your viral monitored during a treatment interruption Two times a week 8 11 Once a week 23 31 Every two weeks 11 15 Once a month 4 5 Every two to three months 4 5 I would not take a treatment interruption 3 4 I don’t know or no response 22 29 1,2,3 4 5 5 5 1,2 5 1 2 3 4 5 123
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