1269. Cohort Profile: The Translational Platform HIV (TP-HIV), a Multicenter Cohort Project in Germany

Abstract

BackgroundWhile Germany has a long tradition in HIV research with many well-established regional cohorts, there was a lack of collaborative efforts toward harmonized data collection and biobanking, both key strategies for efficient translational research projects. Key challenges are heterogeneity of data systems and privacy concepts, of existing study and data collection protocols, and sample collection, storage, and sharing.MethodsIn 2013, we established the Translational Platform HIV (TP-HIV) with support of the German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF) as a collaboration between university hospitals and specialized HIV care centers throughout Germany. After assessing the individual needs of all partner sites, we have taken comprehensive action to create a common platform for collaboration in all research stages. We developed protocols, rules of operation, biobanking strategies, and privacy concepts for all collaborating partner sites. Patients infected with HIV (PLWH) who sign the informed consent for the TP-HIV are pro- and retrospectively included in the cohort.ResultsTo date, the TP-HIV infrastructure is implemented at 27 member sites from 11 cities, potentially extending to more than 20,000 patients currently treated for HIV across Germany. Facing the special needs in the German research environment, the TP-HIV established a unique data- and biomaterial collection allowing expedited translational research and reduce project overheads, regulatory burden, and data security regulations for investigators. By active surveillance, rapid access to individual patient groups such as patients with acute HIV infection, TP-HIV is an ideal platform for early phase clinical trials with new drug candidates. Researchers with clinical, biological, epidemiological, and statistical expertise have been brought together within the TP-HIV, which enables an effective translational chain from bench to bedside and back. New collaborations have been established with currently 23 active study protocols.ConclusionThe TP-HIV has demonstrated to be a powerful tool for generating and testing research hypotheses in PLWH. In the future, we will work to further expand our network and address the pressing needs in the German research environment.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.