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HOPE in Action: A Clinical Trial of HIV-to-HIV Liver Transplantation

Summary

Organs from HIV+ deceased donors (HIV D+) are a unique resource for HIV+ transplant candidates. By expanding the donor pool, use of organs from HIV D+ could have a significant public health impact and decrease wait times for all individuals on the waitlist. This motivated the Congressional HOPE (HIV Organ Policy Equity) Act which now allows HIV D+ transplants for HIV+ recipients (R+) under research protocols. In order to determine if HIV D+ liver transplantation is safe and effective, a prospective multicenter trial is needed. The proposed HOPE in Action Liver Trial will compare outcomes between HIV+ recipients of HIV+ versus HIV- donor livers, enrolling 40 individuals in each group over 3 years at 16 transplant centers. The trial will benefit from existing studies and infrastructure established by our group, including a study of HIV D+ nationally in collaboration with the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (R01AI120938) and a Multicenter HOPE in Action Kidney Trial (U01AI134591). In summary, HOPE in Action: A clinical trial of HIV-to-HIV deceased donor liver transplantation will determine whether the use of HIV D+ for LT is safe and effective. In addition, the trial will impact not only the field of organ transplantation, but will also provide new insight into mechanisms of HIV-related liver disease, HIV superinfection, and will directly inform HIV cure research efforts.