ACTG Opens IPACE-HIV to Study Frailty Intervention
The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), a leading global network focused on HIV and infectious diseases, has announced the launch of the IPACE-HIV study (Improving Physical Ability and Cellular Energy for HIV). The new trial seeks to evaluate interventions that could help mitigate frailty in people living with HIV, with a focus on improving physical function, mobility, and overall quality of life. The initiative reflects ACTG’s ongoing commitment to translating laboratory insights into practical strategies that benefit patients across diverse communities.
Understanding Frailty in People Living with HIV
Frailty—a condition characterized by decreased strength, endurance, and physiological reserve—can impact adults with HIV, especially as they age or acquire comorbidities. While effective antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV into a manageable chronic condition for many, the aging population of people living with HIV remains at risk for frailty-related complications. IPACE-HIV aims to identify whether targeted interventions can slow or reverse elements of frailty, thereby improving daily functioning and independence.
Study Design and Objectives
IPACE-HIV will enroll a diverse cohort of adults living with HIV across multiple study sites. The trial will explore a comprehensive approach that may include physical activity regimens, nutritional strategies, and cellular energy optimization, in order to enhance physical ability. Primary outcomes are expected to measure improvements in gait speed, grip strength, balance, and overall functional status, while secondary outcomes will examine fatigue, cognitive function, and health-related quality of life. By combining functional assessments with biomarkers of cellular energy and inflammation, researchers hope to gain a clearer picture of how frailty develops in the context of HIV and how it can be mitigated.
Why IPACE-HIV Matters
Frailty is a public health concern with significant implications for independent living, healthcare utilization, and longevity. In the era of effective HIV treatment, extending not just life but healthy, active living is a priority. IPACE-HIV seeks to fill an important knowledge gap by testing interventions that could become standard components of long-term HIV care. If successful, the study could influence clinical guidelines and spur the development of integrative care models that prioritize functional health as much as virologic control.
Collaboration and Global Reach
As an international research network, ACTG coordinates with clinical sites across multiple countries to ensure robust enrollment, diverse representation, and rigorous data collection. IPACE-HIV will leverage ACTG’s established infrastructure for protocol development, participant safety, and data monitoring, aiming to deliver timely results that can inform practice and policy. The study also reflects a broader shift toward patient-centered outcomes, emphasizing real-world benefits like mobility, independence, and everyday activity.
What to Expect Next
Recruitment timelines and site locations will be announced by ACTG as the study progresses. Investigators anticipate interim findings in the coming years, with final results contributing to a growing portfolio of strategies to manage frailty in people living with HIV. The IPACE-HIV initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to optimize aging with HIV, integrating physical, metabolic, and cellular health into a holistic care framework.
Implications for Patients and Care Providers
For patients, IPACE-HIV represents hope for interventions that could improve daily life, stamina, and independence. For clinicians, the study could provide evidence-based approaches to integrating frailty prevention into routine HIV care. For researchers, IPACE-HIV offers a unique platform to examine how cellular energy, inflammation, and physical function interact in the context of HIV, potentially guiding future therapeutic development.
