The NYU Center for AIDS Research is currently recruiting HIV-positive men and women who are Long-term Nonprogressors for studies about their immune systems and the type and number of immune cells present in their blood.

HIV Long-term Nonprogressors (LTNPs) are a group of individuals who are infected with HIV, but whose infection does not progress to AIDS. Researchers are unsure why LTNPs do not progress to AIDS, but we hope this research will help us understand more about these unique immune responses to HIV. Also, we believe that understanding LTNPs' ability to control HIV infection may lead to the development of better anti-HIV medications and vaccines.

What is a Long-term Nonprogressor?

Different healthcare professionals have different definitions of what an HIV long-term nonprogressor is. Essentially, an HIV long-term nonprogressor is someone who has been infected with HIV for several years without progressing to an AIDS diagnosis, even though they are not taking anti-HIV medications. Someone who is considered an LTNP might also have a very low viral load (amount of HIV circulating in the blood), a normal number of T-cells (a group of white blood cells also called lymphocytes), or both.

Some long-term nonprogressors identify themselves as "HIV survivors," "long-term HIV survivors" or "thrivers" because while they are infected with HIV their immune systems continue to function normally, protecting them from some of the illnesses usually associated with HIV/AIDS.

For our studies, we consider a long-term nonprogressor to be someone who was diagnosed with HIV more than 10 years ago, has never taken standard anti-HIV medications and has T-cells (a type of immune cell) above 350 cells/mm ³.

Who is elgiible to participate?

• Men and women age 18 or over
• Diagnosed HIV-positive more than 10 years ago
• Have a T-cell count greater than 350; If you do not have recent documentation of your T-cell count, we can provide to you as part of the screening process.
• Have never taken a standard anti-HIV medication cocktail (also called anti-retroviral therapy, ART, or HAART). If you took mono-therapy (only one kind of HIV medication) before the use of a drug cocktails, you may still be eligible. Please contact study staff to discuss your eligibility.
• Your healthcare provider believes that you do not need to take anti-HIV medications (also called anti-retroviral therapy, ART, or HAART)
• Be willing to have blood drawn twice, and possibly up to 6 times during the course of 1 year.

The HIV Long-term Nonprogressors study is also recruiting volunteers who have been diagnosed with HIV, but have been told by their doctors that they should not start taking anti-HIV medications (anti-retroviral therapy, or ART). Volunteers must have a T-cell count greater than 350.

What does a study visit entail?

During your visit, you will complete a brief questionnaire and study staff will talk to you about:

• your medical history
• recent blood test results
• any medications you might be taking

Study staff will also draw your blood to look at the different kinds of white blood cells present. If you do not have recent lab results documenting the level of T-cells in your blood, we can perform those tests for you for free. In that case, you will be asked to come in for a second visit because we need a T-cell test result to confirm your eligibility.

If you are interested, there are additional study visits that can be completed. Study staff can discuss this with you during your first visit.

You will be compensated for your time at the completion of each study visit.

How do I contact you?

If you are interested in participating in this study, please call us at 212-263-0362 or click here to email us.