1. HOPE (MTN-025) Laboratory Training Part 2: Hair Collection
Edward Livant MT (ASCP), MPH
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

2. Hair Collection
Goal: testing hair for presence of drug will give another measure of adherence
This testing will likely be done at the end of the study
Samples will be collected from all participants regardless of product use, at all follow-up visits (starting at M1)
Contact the LC or management team with any questions

3. Hair Collection: Counseling
1. Ask permission, and let her know what the sample is for:
As part of HOPE, we are asking for your permission to cut a small sample of hair from your head to check the amount of dapivirine in this hair sample.
Note: For participants who have never had exposure to dapivirine, e.g. those who have always declined the ring, hair samples will be used as negative controls (samples known not to contain dapivirine so we can compare to samples which contain dapivirine)
Medicines go into many places in the body, for example into your blood, tissue, and your hair.
The amount of dapivirine found inside the hair sample may provide a better idea of how much dapivirine was released from the ring into your body over a long period of time.
As this procedure is new for participants (i.e. was not previously done in ASPIRE), some guidance on counseling about this sample collection is provided in the SSP. It is recommended that staff review these points with participants when she first has hair collected (month 1) and then as needed throughout study follow-up.

4. Hair Collection: Counseling (Cont.)
2. Reassure the participant about how much hair will be collected:
We will collect about hairs from your head. Of note, we all lose about 100 strands from our scalp daily (that amount of hair falls out or is brushed out).
Cutting this small amount of hair from your head will not disrupt your hairstyle and will not affect the normal new growth of your hair.

5. Hair Collection: Counseling (Cont.)
3. Reassure her that samples are stored safely, explain how samples will be processed, and what will be done with samples not tested:
We store the hair samples safely, ship them to a laboratory, cut them up into small pieces and dissolve the entire sample into a liquid. That liquid is then injected into a machine to measure the amount of study medication. The hair sample is completely dissolved so there is none remaining.
If there is hair collected that is not analyzed, those hair samples will be completely destroyed at the end of the study by dissolving the hair into a liquid and then disposing of the liquid.
No one but study investigators will have access to the hair samples and they will be kept safe at all times in a secured laboratory. The laboratory will not have access to any names or any identifying information for the people from whom hair was collected.

6. Hair Collection: Counseling (Cont.)
4. Explain that sample collection is voluntary and does not impact her participation:
As with any study procedure, collection of hair samples is voluntary. If you choose not to provide a hair sample, this will not affect your participation in HOPE.

7. Hair Collection Kit Scissors Tin foil Labels (2) Ziplock bag
Alcohol swabs
Desiccant pellet

9. Step 1: Clean Blades Between each use

10. Step 2+ 3
Lift up the top layer of hair from the occipital region of the scalp. Isolate a small thatch of hair (~100 fibers of hair) from underneath this top layer
Can use hair clip to keep top layer of hair away if easier
Cut the small hair sample as close to the scalp as possible

11. Straight Hair

12. Curly Hair

13. SHORT HAIR
Can let hair fall directly into piece of tin foil when very short/cropped (no need to label end since too short)

14. SHORT HAIR

15. BRAIDED HAIR: Cut hair thatch from in-between braids or dread locks

16. Step 4
Keep your fingers on the part of the hair that was FURTHEST away from the scalp and put the hair sample down on an unfolded piece of tin foil

17. Step 5
Put a thin label over the end of the hair sample that was FURTHEST away from the scalp
If hair very short just let it fall into the piece of tin foil and no need to label the distal end

18. Step 6
Refold the foil over to completely enclose the hair and place a study ID label on the folded piece of foil

19. Step 7
Place the folded piece of foil inside the plastic (e.g. Ziplock®) bag (desiccant pellet in the bag is optional) and seal the bag;

20. Storage and Shipping Store samples at room temperature in a dark place
Assign storage locations in LDMS
The LC will notify sites when shipping is required
These samples are not considered biohazardous

21. Questions?