Comparing Immune Activation and Latent HIV Reservoir Size Between People Living With HIV on Tenofovir-containing Versus NRTI-free ART

NCT ID: NCT05584397

Last Updated: 2024-12-05

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

OBSERVATIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-09-01

Study Completion Date

2025-12-28

Brief Summary

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The goal of the project is to determine the difference in immune activation and HIV reservoir size between People living with HIV (PWH) on tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) versus PWH on nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)-sparing ART. Tenofovir (TFV), a phosphonated nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), is being used for oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

The investigators will test this hypothesis: tenofovir, and perhaps NRTIs in general, stimulate a type I/III interferon also in PWH who take these drugs. Because chronic interferon stimulation may promote the survival and proliferation of cells with integrated provirus, the investigators also hypothesize that these drugs antagonize decay of the HIV latent reservoir in PWH on ART. Consequently, the researchers hypothesize that PWH who have switched from NRTI-containing ART to NRTI-sparing ART exhibit lower type I/III interferon pathway activation and lower latent HIV reservoir size.

The investigators also hypothesize that independently of treatment, the extent of type I/III interferon activation correlates with latent HIV reservoir size.

Thus, the proposed study seeks to answer these two questions. Can the gastrointestinal epithelium be impacted by ART, and contribute to chronic immune activation and expansion of the HIV-1 reservoir? If so, what therapeutic approaches can the investigators implement to reduce the HIV-1 proviral load? The data will reveal pathways that can be targeted therapeutically to treat chronic immune activation in PWH. The findings of this study will immediately translate to optimize the standard of care in PWH.

Detailed Description

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The study will be open-label, cross-sectional, two-cohort study (20 participants per cohort will be recruited).

Cohort 1: Tenofovir-containing ART (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate \[TDF\] OR tenofovir alafenamide \[TAF\] PLUS any other ART drugs) prescribed for daily use by participants' primary care providers.

Cohort 2: NRTI-sparing ART (specifically: rilpivirine PLUS dolutegravir OR rilpivirine PLUS cabotegravir) prescribed for daily use by participants' primary care providers.

The investigators plan to test type I/III IFN (interferon) pathway activation using Crystal digital PCR (Crystal-dPCR) to quantify mRNA copy numbers of ISG15 (ISG15 ubiquitin-like modifier), MX1 (MX dynamin like GTPase 1) and IFI6 (interferon alpha inducible protein 6). RNA will be isolated from the rectal and duodenal biopsies stored in RNALater using the RNeasy Fibrous Tissue Mini Kit (Qiagen) and from the PBMC using the RNeasy Plus Mini Kit (Qiagen). Crystal-dPCR will be performed on a 6-color Naica Crystal digital PCR instrument (Stilla Technologies).

The latent HIV reservoir will be measured in DNA derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using a novel intact/defective proviral HIV DNA Crystal-dPCR assay developed jointly by the Hladik and Jerome groups in Seattle.

Conditions

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HIV-1-infection HIV Disease Progression Inflammation HIV

Keywords

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HIV reservoir Interferon Stimulated Genes Tenofovir Interferon Duodenum Blood Rectum NRTI

Study Design

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Observational Model Type

CASE_CONTROL

Study Time Perspective

CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

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Tenofovir-containing ART

Cohort 1: Tenofovir-containing ART (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate \[TDF\] OR tenofovir alafenamide \[TAF\] PLUS any other ART drugs) prescribed for daily use by participants' primary care providers.

Venipuncture

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Draw of peripheral blood (about 20 ml and 40 ml, during the screening and procedure visits, respectively).

Targeted physical medical exam

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Study participants will be undergoing a physical exam where vitals will be recorded (e.g. temperature, blood pressure, heart rate). The registered nurse (RN) will also perform auscultation of heart and lungs.

Study participants will be also asked to fill out a survey with questions related to his/her medical history, current use of medications, sexual history and substance abuse.

Urine pregnancy test

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Women of childbearing potential will be asked to run an urine pregnancy test during the second (procedure) visit. Pregnant women will not be allowed to participate in the study.

Anoscopy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The anoscopy is an examination using a small, rigid, tubular instrument called anoscope (also called an anal speculum). This is inserted a few inches into the rectum in order to collect some small samples of mucosal tissue. We will collect 5 rectum biopsy samples and one cytobrush.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The EGD involves looking at the esophagus, stomach, and first and second portion of the duodenum. This procedure involves the use of an endoscope to remove small tissue samples. This procedure uses conscious sedation drugs given by a vein in the arm. The procedure takes about 1½-2 hours, including time for recovery. We will collect 5 duodenal biopsies and one cytobrush.

NRTI-sparing ART

Cohort 2: NRTI-sparing ART (specifically: rilpivirine PLUS dolutegravir OR rilpivirine PLUS cabotegravir) prescribed for daily use by participants' primary care providers.

Venipuncture

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Draw of peripheral blood (about 20 ml and 40 ml, during the screening and procedure visits, respectively).

Targeted physical medical exam

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Study participants will be undergoing a physical exam where vitals will be recorded (e.g. temperature, blood pressure, heart rate). The registered nurse (RN) will also perform auscultation of heart and lungs.

Study participants will be also asked to fill out a survey with questions related to his/her medical history, current use of medications, sexual history and substance abuse.

Urine pregnancy test

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Women of childbearing potential will be asked to run an urine pregnancy test during the second (procedure) visit. Pregnant women will not be allowed to participate in the study.

Anoscopy

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The anoscopy is an examination using a small, rigid, tubular instrument called anoscope (also called an anal speculum). This is inserted a few inches into the rectum in order to collect some small samples of mucosal tissue. We will collect 5 rectum biopsy samples and one cytobrush.

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The EGD involves looking at the esophagus, stomach, and first and second portion of the duodenum. This procedure involves the use of an endoscope to remove small tissue samples. This procedure uses conscious sedation drugs given by a vein in the arm. The procedure takes about 1½-2 hours, including time for recovery. We will collect 5 duodenal biopsies and one cytobrush.

Interventions

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Venipuncture

Draw of peripheral blood (about 20 ml and 40 ml, during the screening and procedure visits, respectively).

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Targeted physical medical exam

Study participants will be undergoing a physical exam where vitals will be recorded (e.g. temperature, blood pressure, heart rate). The registered nurse (RN) will also perform auscultation of heart and lungs.

Study participants will be also asked to fill out a survey with questions related to his/her medical history, current use of medications, sexual history and substance abuse.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Urine pregnancy test

Women of childbearing potential will be asked to run an urine pregnancy test during the second (procedure) visit. Pregnant women will not be allowed to participate in the study.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Anoscopy

The anoscopy is an examination using a small, rigid, tubular instrument called anoscope (also called an anal speculum). This is inserted a few inches into the rectum in order to collect some small samples of mucosal tissue. We will collect 5 rectum biopsy samples and one cytobrush.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)

The EGD involves looking at the esophagus, stomach, and first and second portion of the duodenum. This procedure involves the use of an endoscope to remove small tissue samples. This procedure uses conscious sedation drugs given by a vein in the arm. The procedure takes about 1½-2 hours, including time for recovery. We will collect 5 duodenal biopsies and one cytobrush.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Other Intervention Names

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Peripheral blood draw by phlebotomy Upper endoscopy

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Confirmed HIV infection, by two different positive antibody tests and/or detectable plasma HIV RNA on two different dates
2. ≥18 and ≤65 years of age
3. Stable use of ART medication for ≥ 1 year
4. No switch of ART regimen within the past 180 days
5. CD4 \> 350/mm3 within the past 180 days
6. HIV RNA \<40 copies / mL on ≥ 2 occasions during continuous ART of ≥ 1 years, with no blip of \>1000 HIV RNA copies / mL
7. Karnofsky score ≥80
8. Willingness and ability to provide informed consent for study participation
9. Willingness to undergo all required study procedures

Exclusion Criteria

1. Active malignancy including myelodysplastic syndrome, or myeloproliferative disease within 24 weeks prior to study entry
2. Prior organ or bone marrow transplantation
3. Diagnosed autoimmune disease
4. Medical need for ongoing treatment with an immunosuppressive drug
5. Diagnosis of AIDS (defined as any AIDS-defining opportunistic infection or cancer, or a history of blood CD4+ T cell count \< 200/μL)
6. Active opportunistic infection
7. Vomiting or diarrhea which prohibits consistent use of ART
8. Pregnant or breastfeeding
9. Excessive ingestion of ethanol determined by an AUDIT score of \>8
10. Substance abuse
11. History of medical non-compliance
12. The following laboratory values (\< 30 days before enrollment):

* Hemoglobin \< 8.5 mg/dL
* Platelet count \< 100,000/μL
* Coagulation (PT/PTT) tests above the normal reference
* Creatinine clearance \< 60 mL/min
13. Using disallowed medications:

* Systemic corticosteroids
* Other immunosuppressive medications (e.g., cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, tofacitinib)
14. BMI \> 40
15. Pulmonary dysfunction.
16. Use of narcotics.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Washington

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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German Gornalusse

Acting Assistant Professor, School of Medicine, OBGYN

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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German G Gornalusse, PhD, MSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Washington

Florian Hladik, MD, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Washington

Romel D Mackelprang, PhD, MSc

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Washington

Locations

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University of Washington Positive Research and the Gastroenterology Clinic at Harborview Medical Center

Seattle, Washington, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Hughes SM, Levy CN, Calienes FL, Stekler JD, Pandey U, Vojtech L, Berard AR, Birse K, Noel-Romas L, Richardson B, Golden JB, Cartwright M, Collier AC, Stevens CE, Curlin ME, Holtz TH, Mugo N, Irungu E, Katabira E, Muwonge T, Lama JR, Baeten JM, Burgener A, Lingappa JR, McElrath MJ, Mackelprang R, McGowan I, Cranston RD, Cameron MJ, Hladik F. Treatment with Commonly Used Antiretroviral Drugs Induces a Type I/III Interferon Signature in the Gut in the Absence of HIV Infection. Cell Rep Med. 2020 Sep 22;1(6):100096. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2020.100096.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33015651 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Document Type: Informed Consent Form

View Document

Other Identifiers

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R01AI134293

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

KL2TR002317

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

STUDY00011699

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id