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. 2022 Feb 7;12(2):231.
doi: 10.3390/jpm12020231.

Preliminary Acceptability of a Home-Based Peripheral Blood Collection Device for Viral Load Testing in the Context of Analytical Treatment Interruptions in HIV Cure Trials: Results from a Nationwide Survey in the United States

Karine Dubé  1 , Shadi Eskaf  2 , Elizabeth Hastie  3 , Harsh Agarwal  1 , Laney Henley  1 , Christopher Roebuck  4   5 , William B Carter  5 , Lynda Dee  6   7   8 , Jeff Taylor  7   8   9 , Derrick Mapp  8   10 , Danielle M Campbell  7   8 , Thomas J Villa  11   12   13 , Beth Peterson  14 , Kenneth M Lynn  15 , Linden Lalley-Chareczko  16 , Emily Hiserodt  16 , Sukyung Kim  15 , Daniel Rosenbloom  17 , Brad R Evans  17 , Melanie Anderson  17 , Daria J Hazuda  17 , Lisa Shipley  17 , Kevin Bateman  17 , Bonnie J Howell  17 , Karam Mounzer  15   16 , Pablo Tebas  15 , Luis J Montaner  14
Affiliations

Preliminary Acceptability of a Home-Based Peripheral Blood Collection Device for Viral Load Testing in the Context of Analytical Treatment Interruptions in HIV Cure Trials: Results from a Nationwide Survey in the United States

Karine Dubé et al. J Pers Med. .

Abstract

Frequent viral load testing is necessary during analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs) in HIV cure-directed clinical trials, though such may be burdensome and inconvenient to trial participants. We implemented a national, cross-sectional survey in the United States to examine the acceptability of a novel home-based peripheral blood collection device for HIV viral load testing. Between June and August 2021, we distributed an online survey to people with HIV (PWH) and community members, biomedical HIV cure researchers and HIV care providers. We performed descriptive analyses to summarize the results. We received 73 survey responses, with 51 from community members, 12 from biomedical HIV cure researchers and 10 from HIV care providers. Of those, 51 (70%) were cisgender men and 50 (68%) reported living with HIV. Most (>80% overall) indicated that the device would be helpful during ATI trials and they would feel comfortable using it themselves or recommending it to their patients/participants. Of the 50 PWH, 42 (84%) indicated they would use the device if they were participating in an ATI trial and 27 (54%) also expressed a willingness to use the device outside of HIV cure studies. Increasing sensitivity of viral load tests and pluri-potency of the device (CD4 count, chemistries) would augment acceptability. Survey findings provide evidence that viral load home testing would be an important adjunct to ongoing HIV cure-directed trials involving ATIs. Survey findings may help inform successful implementation and uptake of the device in the context of personalized HIV care.

Keywords: HIV cure research; acceptability; analytical treatment interruptions; home-based viral load; people with HIV; personalized medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

D.R., B.E., M.A., D.J.H., L.S., K.B. and B.J.H. and employed by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Tasso home-based viral load test device demonstration video (available at https://www.tassoinc.com/tasso-m20-video—accessed on 29 November 2021).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Feedback on use of the device from all participants (United States, 2021).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Feedback on use of the device from all participants (United States, 2021).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Feedback on mailing blood samples to a laboratory or research site from all participants (United States, 2021).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Feedback on mailing blood samples to a laboratory or research site from all participants (United States, 2021).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Feedback on communicating viral load test results from all participants (United States, 2021).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Feedback on technical support for using the device from all participants (United States, 2021).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Feedback from 50 persons with HIV (United States, 2021).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Patient/participant journey with home-based blood collection device for viral load testing.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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