International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Group International Initiative Scientific Agenda

Within the overall goals of the International Research Program, specific research objectives and scientific aims are being established with input from the collaborating international sites as well as the International Steering Committee of the PEC, and the Research Agenda Committees of the PACTG. The PACTG is committed to developing an international research agenda that addresses the needs of the international collaborating sites and whose study results can be implemented and sustained by the participating international sites. The research needs vary by country and site and change over time, making flexibility an important component of the agenda.

An overriding research goal of the International Research Program is to develop simple, practical, and cost-effective treatment and prevention interventions that will prolong survival of HIV-infected children and adolescents while retaining optimal quality of life. This includes research into both the efficient and sustainable use of antiretrovirals, as well as the prevention and treatment of important opportunistic infections. In collaboration with other groups, including the AACTG and HPTN, the PACTG will also conduct research to optimize antiretroviral and other intervention strategies in childbearing women to prevent mother-to-infant transmission.