A Study to Evaluate the Ability of TNFR:Fc to Decrease the Amount of IL-6 (Interleukin-6) and TNF-alpha (Tumor Necrosis Factor) in HIV-Infected Patients

Effect of Recombinant Human Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor (TNFR:Fc) on Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-alpha) and Markers of Immune Activation in HIV-Infected Subjects

The purpose of this study is to determine if TNFR:Fc (a molecule that attaches to TNF) can lower the amount of IL-6 in HIV-positive patients. This study will also examine the effect of TNFR:Fc on TNF-alpha. IL-6 and TNF-alpha are 2 substances produced by the immune system that may increase the rate of HIV replication.

IL-6 and TNF-alpha are produced naturally by the body. High levels of TNF-alpha lead to increased IL-6 production and increased HIV replication, therefore helping the virus infect the body. HIV-positive patients who receive IL-2 (interleukin-2, a protein that helps the immune system fight infection) tend to have higher levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha than patients not receiving IL-2. These increased levels may contribute to some of the flu-like symptoms related to IL-2 administration. TNFR:Fc can neutralize TNF-alpha to decrease the action of TNF-alpha and, in turn, decrease the amount of IL-6 in the body. TNFR:Fc may, therefore, have a role in the treatment of HIV disease or in relieving some of the symptoms related to IL-2 administration.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Both Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are substances naturally produced by the body's immune system. Evidence suggests that TNF-alpha production may be excessive or inappropriate in HIV-infected patients. Elevated TNF-alpha levels can result in increased IL-6 production and possibly increased HIV replication. TNFR:Fc is a modification of a natural substance that binds to TNF-alpha and neutralizes its activity. It is postulated that TNFR:Fc may result in decreased activity of TNF-alpha and lower IL-6 levels. HIV-infected patients who receive Interleukin-2 (IL-2) have been shown to have higher TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels than those who do not receive IL-2. It is thought that these higher levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 may contribute to some of the flu-like symptoms experienced by patients receiving IL-2. By decreasing the amount of IL-6 in the body and by decreasing the action of TNF-alpha in the body, TNFR:Fc may have a role in the treatment of HIV disease or in alleviating some of the symptoms related to IL-2 administration.

Six patients from each of the 3 treatment arms of ACTG 328 (HAART alone, HAART plus intravenous (IV) rhIL-2, and HAART plus subcutaneous (SC) rhIL-2) who are about to be randomized to Step II of ACTG 328 may participate in this prospective, nested substudy. Patients randomized to the Interleukin-2 (IL-2) arms of ACTG 328 are pretreated with TNFR:Fc (administered by infusion over 30 minutes) at week 16 of ACTG 928 (Course 3, Week 28 of ACTG 328), just prior to initiation of IL-2. Those randomized to the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) only arm of ACTG 328 receive treatment with TNFR:Fc at Week 16 of ACTG 928 (Week 28 of ACTG 328).

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment

18

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Hawaii
      • Honolulu, Hawaii, United States, 96816
        • Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa, Leahi Hosp.
    • New York
      • New York, New York, United States, 10016
        • NY Univ. HIV/AIDS CRS
    • Ohio
      • Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44106
        • Case CRS

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (ADULT, OLDER_ADULT)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for this study if you:

  • Are HIV-positive.
  • Are enrolled in ACTG 328.
  • Agree to practice abstinence or use barrier methods of birth control during the study.
  • Are at least 18 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

You will not be eligible for this study if you:

  • Have any active opportunistic (HIV-associated) infections.
  • Have any medical condition or psychological issue that would interfere with study requirements.
  • Are pregnant or breast-feeding.
  • Are receiving any experimental drug other than IL-2.
  • Are receiving certain other medications.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: TREATMENT

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Valdez H
  • Study Chair: Landay A

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Completion (ACTUAL)

June 1, 2000

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 2, 1999

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 30, 2001

First Posted (ESTIMATE)

August 31, 2001

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (ACTUAL)

November 1, 2021

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 28, 2021

Last Verified

October 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • ACTG 928
  • 11498 (REGISTRY: DAIDS ES Registry Number)

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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