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MD PhD Alain Amstutz

Department of Clinical Research
Profiles & Affiliations

Alain Amstutz is an MD PhD focusing on innovative trial designs, cluster randomized trials, trial evidence synthesis methods and target trial emulations. He is passionate about advancing clinical research with applied clinical projects across Europe and Southern Africa, especially Lesotho. 

He is currently a postdoc and project leader in Bristol, UK (Electronic Health Records Group, University of Bristol), Oslo, Norway (Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, OCBE, Oslo University Hospital) and Basel, Switzerland (Division of Clinical Epidemiology). He has conducted several cluster- and individual-randomized trials in Lesotho assessing HIV self-testing, treatment for HIV low-level viremia, adolescent care, and service delivery for people living with other chronic diseases - as part of a large North-South research consortium.

As co-Principal Investigator of ComBaCaL, he currently builds a large-scale general population-based cohort study in two districts in Lesotho to investigate chronic diseases (mainly diabetes, hypertension and HIV) and how to decentralise services with the help of lay health workers and e-Health applications. As co-Principal Investigator of RETUNE, he investigates pragmatic smoking cessation interventions in collaboration with the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) using the Trials-within-Cohorts (TwiCs) design.

He is part of the methods/stats team of EU-RESPONSE (pan-European platform trial for COVID-19 therapeutics) and MPX-RESPONSE (pan-European platform trial for Mpox therapeutics including an Mpox cohort study), and a member of the Young Researchers' Group of the SHCS and the global TwiCs network.

Moreover, he investigates if and how HIV and other sexual and reproductive health services can be offered at hair salons in Lesotho, is interested in individual participant data meta-analyses, currently conducting one on JAK inhibitors against COVID-19, and Patient and Public Involvement. Up to today, he has acquired substantial research funding as (Co-)Principal Investigator (>7 Million USD) and published >30 first- and last-author publications in peer-reviewed journals (Lancet Resp Med, Lancet HIV, PLOS Med, CID, JIAS, PLOS GPH, among others) and serves as Associate Editor at BMC Trials. He fluently speaks German, English, French and Italian and is constantly working on his Sesotho.

Selected Publications

Amstutz, A., Schandelmaier, S., Ewald, H., Speich, B., Schwenke, J. M., Schönenberger, C. M., Schobinger, S., Agoritsas, T., Tomashek, K. M., Nayak, S., Makowski, M., Morales-Ortega, A., Bernal-Bello, D., Pomponio, G., Ferrarini, A., Ghazaeian, M., Hall, F., Bond, S., García-Morales, M. T., et al. (2025). Effects of Janus kinase inhibitors in adults admitted to hospital due to COVID-19: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials [Journal-article]. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2213-2600(25)00055-4

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Pesonel, E., Laouénan, C., Guiraud, L., Bourner, J., Hoffmann, I., Molino, D., Tardivon, C., Bachelet, D., Mentré, F., Amstutz, A., Merson, L., Rojek, A., Cervantes Gonzalez, M., Antinori, A., Castagna, A., Nozza, S., Pourcher, V., Libois, A., Dunning, J., et al. (2025). Clinical characterisation and outcomes of human clade IIb mpox virus disease - a European multicentre observational cohort study (MOSAIC) [Journal-article]. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciae657

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Hampanda, K., Bolt, M., Nayame, L., Hamoonga, T., Sehrt, M., Thorne, J., Harrison, M., Pintye, J., Amstutz, A., Abuogi, L., & Mweemba, O. (2024). HIV Risk and Intention to use PrEP among Sexually Active Female University Students in Zambia: A Cross-Sectional Survey to Understand Influential Factors [Posted-content]. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.12.12.24318948

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Firima, Emmanuel, Ntsoaki, Rameno, Lukau, Blaise, Tlahali, Mosa, Gonzalez Fernandez, Lucia, Manthabiseng, Molulela, Sematle, Mamoronts’ane P, Bane, Matumaole, Khomolishoele, Makhebe, Ikhetheleng, Leisa, Retselisitsoe, Lefokosane, Gupta, Ravi, McCrosky, Stephen, Lee, Tristan, Chammartin, Frederique, Weisser, Maja, Labhardt, Niklaus D, & Amstutz, Alain. (2024). Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection and treatment eligibility in Lesotho, Southern Africa: a population-based cross-sectional study with case-based follow-up [Journal-article]. BMJ Public Health, 2(2), e001195. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2024-001195

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Jackson-Perry, David, Cart-Richter, Ellen, Haerry, David, Ahmeti, Lindrit, Bieri, Annatina, Calmy, Alexandra, Ballif, Marie, Pasin, Chloé, Notter, Julia, & Amstutz, Alain. (2024). Patient and public involvement in HIV research: a mapping review and development of an online evidence map [Short Report]. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 27(11). https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.26385

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Amstutz, Alain, Chammartin, Frédérique, Audigé, Annette, Eichenberger, Anna L., Braun, Dominique L., Amico, Patrizia, Stoeckle, Marcel P., Hasse, B., Papadimitriou-Olivgeris, Matthaios, Manuel, Oriol, Bongard, Cédric, Schuurmans, Macé, Hage, René, Damm, Dominik, Tamm, Michael, Mueller, Nicolas J., Rauch, A., Günthard, H.F., Koller, Michael T., et al. (2024). Antibody and T-Cell Response to Bivalent Booster SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in People With Compromised Immune Function: COVERALL-3 Study. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 230(4), e847–e859. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiae291

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Amstutz, Alain, Schönenberger, Christof M., Speich, Benjamin, Griessbach, Alexandra, Schwenke, Johannes M., Glasstetter, Jan, James, Sophie, Verkooijen, Helena M., Nickolls, Beverley, Relton, Clare, Hemkens, Lars G., Chammartin, Frédérique, Gerber, Felix, Labhardt, Niklaus D., Schandelmaier, Stefan, & Briel, Matthias. (2024). Characteristics, consent patterns, and challenges of randomized trials using the Trials within Cohorts (TwiCs) design - A scoping review. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2024.111469

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Fernández, Lucia González, Firima, Emmanuel, Gupta, Ravi, Sematle, Mamoronts’ane Pauline, Khomolishoele, Makhebe, Molulela, Manthabiseng, Bane, Matumaole, Tlahali, Mosa, McCrosky, Stephen, Lee, Tristan, Chammartin, Frédérique, Seelig, Eleonora, Gerber, Felix, Lejone, Thabo Ishmael, Ayakaka, Irene, Labhardt, Niklaus Daniel, & Amstutz, Alain. (2024). Awareness, treatment, and control among adults living with arterial hypertension or diabetes mellitus in two rural districts in Lesotho. PLOS Global Public Health, 4(9). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003721

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Manyara, Anthony Muchai, Davies, Philippa, Stewart, Derek, Weir, Christopher J, Young, Amber E, Blazeby, Jane, Butcher, Nancy J, Bujkiewicz, Sylwia, Chan, An-Wen, Dawoud, Dalia, Offringa, Martin, Ouwens, Mario, Hróbjartssson, Asbjørn, Amstutz, Alain, Bertolaccini, Luca, Bruno, Vito Domenico, Devane, Declan, Faria, Christina D C M, Gilbert, Peter B, et al. (2024). Reporting of surrogate endpoints in randomised controlled trial protocols (SPIRIT-Surrogate): extension checklist with explanation and elaboration. Bmj, 386, 19. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-078525

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Firima, Emmanuel, Gonzalez, Lucia, Khan, Moazziz Ali, Manthabiseng, Molulela, Sematle, Mamoronts’sane P., Bane, Matumaole, Khomolishoele, Makhebe, Leisa, Ikhetheleng, Retselisitsoe, Lefokotsane, Burkard, Thilo, Seelig, Eleonara, Lee, Tristan, Chammartin, Frédérique, Gupta, Ravi, Leigh, Bailah, Weisser, Maja, Amstutz, Alain, Amstutz, Alain, & Labhardt, Niklaus Daniel. (2023). High Rates of Undiagnosed Target Organ Damage Among Adults with Elevated Blood Pressure or Diabetes Mellitus in a Community-Based Survey in Lesotho. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 13(4), 857–869. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-023-00158-5

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Amstutz, Alain, Speich, Benjamin, Mentré, France, Rueegg, Corina Silvia, Belhadi, Drifa, Assoumou, Lambert, Burdet, Charles, Murthy, Srinivas, Dodd, Lori Elizabeth, Wang, Yeming, Tikkinen, Kari A O, Ader, Florence, Hites, Maya, Bouscambert, Maude, Trabaud, Mary Anne, Fralick, Mike, Lee, Todd C, Pinto, Ruxandra, Barratt-Due, Andreas, et al. (2023). Effects of remdesivir in patients hospitalised with COVID-19: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 11(5), 453–464. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(22)00528-8

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Kopo, M., Lejone, T. I., Tschumi, N., Glass, T. R., Kao, M., Brown, J. A., Seiler, O., Muhairwe, J., Moletsane, N., Labhardt, N. D., & Amstutz, A. (2023). Effectiveness of a peer educator-coordinated preference-based differentiated service delivery model on viral suppression among young people living with HIV in Lesotho: the PEBRA cluster-randomized trial. PLoS Med, 20(1), e1004150. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1004150

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Amstutz, A., Lejone, T. I., Khesa, L., Kopo, M., Kao, M., Muhairwe, J., Bresser, M., Räber, F., Klimkait, T., Battegay, M., Glass, T. R., & Labhardt, N. D. (2021). Offering ART refill through community health workers versus clinic-based follow-up after home-based same-day ART initiation in rural Lesotho: the VIBRA cluster-randomized clinical trial. PLoS Medicine, 18(10), e1003839. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003839

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Amstutz, Alain, Kopo, Mathebe, Lejone, Thabo I., Khesa, Lefu, Kao, Mpho, Muhairwe, Josephine, Glass, Tracy R., & Labhardt, Niklaus D. (2020). “If it is left, it becomes easy for me to get tested”: use of oral self-tests and community health workers to maximize the potential of home-based HIV testing among adolescents in Lesoth. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 23(Suppl 5), e25563. https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.25563

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Amstutz, Alain, Lejone, Thabo Ishmael, Khesa, Lefu, Muhairwe, Josephine, Bresser, Moniek, Vanobberghen, Fiona, Kopo, Mathebe, Kao, Mpho, Nsakala, Bienvenu Lengo, Tlali, Katleho, Klimkait, Thomas, Battegay, Manuel, Labhardt, Niklaus Daniel, & Glass, Tracy Renée. (2020). Home-based oral self-testing for absent and declining individuals during a door-to-door HIV testing campaign in rural Lesotho (HOSENG): a cluster-randomised trial. The Lancet. HIV, 7(11), e752–e761. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2352-3018(20)30233-2

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Amstutz, Alain, Nsakala, Bienvenu Lengo, Vanobberghen, Fiona, Muhairwe, Josephine, Glass, Tracy Renée, Namane, Tilo, Mpholo, Tlali, Battegay, Manuel, Klimkait, Thomas, & Labhardt, Niklaus Daniel. (2020). Switch to second-line versus continued first-line antiretroviral therapy for patients with low-level HIV-1 viremia: an open-label randomized controlled trial in Lesotho. PLoS medicine, 17(9), e1003325. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003325

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Amstutz, Alain, Brown, Jennifer Anne, Ringera, Isaac, Muhairwe, Josephine, Lejone, Thabo Ishmael, Klimkait, Thomas, Glass, Tracy Renée, & Labhardt, Niklaus Daniel. (2019). Engagement in care, viral suppression, drug resistance and reasons for non-engagement after home-based same-day ART initiation in Lesotho: a two-year follow-up of the CASCADE trial. Clinical Infectious Diseases : An Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 71(10), 2608–2614. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciz1126

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Labhardt, N. D., Ringera, I., Lejone, T. I., Klimkait, T., Muhairwe, J., Amstutz, A., & Glass, T. R. (2018). Effect of offering same-day ART vs usual health facility referral during home-based HIV testing on linkage to care and viral suppression among adults with HIV in Lesotho : the CASCADE randomized clinical trial. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 319(11), 1103–1112. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.1818

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Amstutz A, Schandelmaier S, Frei R, Surina J, Agarwal A, Olu KK, Alturki R, Von Niederhäusern B, Von Elm E, & Briel M. (2017). Discontinuation and non-publication of randomised clinical trials supported by the main public funding body in Switzerland: A retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open, 7(7), e016216. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016216

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Kasenda, Benjamin, von Elm, Erik, You, John, Blümle, Anette, Tomonaga, Yuki, Saccilotto, Ramon, Amstutz, Alain, Bengough, Theresa, Meerpohl, Joerg J., Stegert, Mihaela, Tikkinen, Kari A. O., Neumann, Ignacio, Carrasco-Labra, Alonso, Faulhaber, Markus, Mulla, Sohail M., Mertz, Dominik, Akl, Elie A., Bassler, Dirk, Busse, Jason W., et al. (2014). Prevalence, characteristics, and publication of discontinued randomized trials. Journal of the American Medical Association, 311(10), 1045–1051. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2014.1361

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Selected Projects & Collaborations

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RETUNE

Research Project  | 7 Project Members

Tobacco smoking represents a leading health burden in the aging population of people living with HIV in Switzerland. New tools for smoking cessation like electronic cigarettes or nicotine pouches are promising to reduce the harm caused by tobacco smoking. However, high quality evidence of their effectiveness among people living with HIV and outside of explanatory randomized trials is missing. 


RETUNE is a highly pragmatic randomized trial, fully embedded in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS), using the “Trials within Cohorts” (TwiCs) design. 

In the TwiCs design, participants are recruited within a prospective cohort study and can consent not only to regular data collection at cohort visits, but also to be randomized in future low-risk pragmatic trials (“randomization consent”). Participants are informed that only participants randomized to the intervention arm are approached and may then accept or decline the offered intervention. Participants in the intervention who accept the intervention, are asked to sign an “intervention consent”, that only covers additional data collection in this group and the safety/side-effects of the intervention – similar to a routine clinical consent (e.g. consent for a lumbar puncture in clinical care). 


RETUNE aims to assess the effectiveness of the offer of a menu including different tobacco cigarettes substitutional products (e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, nicotine patches) to quit smoking. People with HIV in the SHCS who smoke tobacco cigarettes and who signed the randomization consent will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the offer of the menu or to usual care. People are included regardless of their willingness to quit smoking. The primary endpoint is tobacco abstinence after 6 months. RETUNE is a multicenter trial which will include centers in Basel, Bern, Geneva, Lausanne, St. Gallen, and Zurich. 


RETUNE is funded by the Tobacco Prevention Fund, the Novartis foundation for medical-biological research, and the Swiss National Science Foundation.



Involved partner:

Swiss HIV Cohort Study

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Hair Salon Project

Research Project  | 17 Project Members

In settings such as Lesotho, where young women face enormous HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges, novel and accessible spaces to complement traditional health facilities are urgently needed. HIV- and pregnancy-related complications are still the leading cause of death among young women in high HIV prevalence settings in Southern Africa. 


Hair salons may offer a safe, accessible, trusted community space to engage young women and address barriers related to HIV/SRH.


In a first step, we concluded an innovative cross-sectional survey – co-designed and conducted in collaboration with citizen scientists – and gathered data among 100 hair stylists and 300 clients across Lesotho. The findings were complemented by qualitative research, narrative storytelling and a video documentary.


In a next step, we are designing and implementing a pilot to evaluate a first HIV/SRH service intervention at a few hair salons in Lesotho.

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MPX-RESPONSE

Research Networks (Institutional Membership)  | 3 Project Members

In May 2022, a major global outbreak of mpox (Clade IIb) began in Europe and quickly spread worldwide. While cases outside Africa dropped by the end of summer 2022, they continue to be reported globally, illustrating continuing transmission of mpox across the world. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and nearby countries are also seeing high numbers of cases, along with a new clade of the virus. This led the WHO to re-declare mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) in August 2024.


Ongoing surveillance is essential, as the risk of new outbreaks remains. Understanding the disease better will help improve treatment and prevent another global health crisis.


MPX-RESPONSE aims to increase the knowledge of mpox, to evaluate potential treatments, and to strengthen Europe’s global preparedness for emerging infectious disease outbreaks.


MPX-RESPONSE constitutes of a large pan-European Mpox cohort study (MOSAIC) and several global platform trials.