CCR5 Inhibitor Treatment Intensification on CD4+ T-cell Recovery

The Impact of CCR5 Inhibitor Treatment Intensification on CD4+ T-cell Recovery and Gene Expression Profiles in HIV-Infected Patients With Viral Suppression

CCTG 590 is a open-label study to evaluate the impact of therapy intensification with Maraviroc (MVC) (a CCR5 inhibitor) to a stable suppressive HIV antiretroviral regimen on the rate of CD4+ T-cell recovery and gene expression profiles. Patients on a stable first-line HIV regimen with continued viral suppression and sub-optimal CD4+ T-cell counts will be eligible for this study. Those who are found to be eligible will have MVC (dose-adjusted to background HIV regimen) added to their current HIV regimen for 24 weeks. After the 24 week intensification, the MVC will be discontinued, the original antiretroviral regimen will be continued and the subjects will be followed for an additional 12 weeks.

The investigators hypothesize that MVC will improve the rate of CD4 recovery. This improved CD4 recovery will be associated with favorable changes in gene expression profiles of genes involved with CD4 maintenance and circulation.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: HIV Infections
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Maraviroc

Detailed Description

Blunted CD4+ T-cell responses during viral control may be a consequence of on-going T-cell destruction in the regenerative phase of CD4 recovery from activation-induced apoptosis and/or reduced production from decreased thymic output. Maraviroc, a CCR5 inhibitor, may improve the clinical status of HIV-infected by two distinct mechanisms. First, by blocking HIV entry into CD4+ T-cells, CCR5 inhibitors have direct antiviral activity. Second, as the pro-inflammatory state of HIV infection up-regulates CCR5 ligands and receptors, this CCR5 receptor antagonist may abrogate immune activation and resultant T-cell apoptosis. Importantly, MVC binds CCR5 receptors without inducing intracellular signaling or altering cell-surface expression. Potentially, MVC intensification during viral suppression with ART may further decrease persistent activation-induced apoptosis and improve repair and remodeling of lymphoid tissue leading to increased CD4+ T-cell recovery and function.

The aim of this study is to evaluate a potentially therapeutic immunomodulatory effect of MVC. Several measures of immune homeostasis will be determined in this study, including functional genomic analysis and extended T-cell phenotyping. Genes responsive to MVC therapy will be identified and categorized into functional groups. Based upon existing literature of the identified genes and observed immune responses (change in CD4/CD8 subsets) during MVC therapy, a model of CCR5 responsive-genes and potential impact on immune recovery will be outlined. Potentially, individuals experiencing immune discordance during suppressive ART may be better treated by MVC antiretroviral intensification.

1. We hypothesize that expression will decrease among genes involved in immune activation (NF-kB, MAPK, nuclear factor of activated T-cells, MYD88 and STAT1), apoptosis (Fas ligand and TRAIL) and trafficking/repopulation of T-cells (CCR5, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and RANTES) and increase among genes involved in tissue repair (platelet-derived growth factor, insulin-like growth proteins and osteoblast-specific transcription factor).

1. The gene expression profiles induced by MVC will be associated with a favorable increase in the rate of CD4+ T-cell recovery.
2. The rate of CD4 recovery (cells/month) will be greater during MVC compared to before.
3. The proportion of cells expressing activation/ apoptosis markers will decrease from baseline and this decrease will be associated with improved CD4 recovery.
4. The proportion of naïve cells will increase from baseline and this increase will be associated with improved CD4 recovery.
5. The rate of CD4 recovery will be greater among those subjects receiving PI-containing treatment regimens compared to those receiving NNRTI-containing treatment regimen.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 32
• Phase: Phase 4

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • California
    • Los Angeles, California, United States, 90033
      • University Southern California
    • San Diego, California, United States, 92103
      • University California San Diego
    • Torrance, California, United States, 90502
      • Harbor-UCLA

Participation Criteria

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:

1. HIV-1 infection
2. All available CD4+ T cell counts within the last 12 months of screening below 350 cells/mm3 (minimum of 3 values obtained > 30 days apart).
3. HIV treatment with a stable (for at least 6 months) antiretroviral regimen consisting of at least 2 NRTIs and either a protease inhibitor boosted with low dose ritonavir or an NNRTI. A stable regimen is defined as no additions or deletions for more than 14 cumulative days.
4. Patient considered to be receiving initial HIV regimen (history of medication substitution for toxicity is allowed).
5. All available plasma HIV RNA levels within the last 12 months are below the level of detection. Isolated values that are detectable but < 1000 copies will be allowed as long as the plasma HIV RNA levels before and after this detectable time point are undetectable - The subject should have a minimum of 3 values obtained > 30 days apart.
6. Females of childbearing potential must have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening and agree to use a double-barrier method of contraception throughout the study period.
7. Men and women age ≥ 18 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current antiretroviral regimen contains tenofovir disoproxil fumarate AND didanosine in combination.
2. History of chronic hepatitis C (defined as HCV antibody positive and HCV RNA detectable).
3. History of chronic active hepatitis B (defined as surface antibody negative, surface antigen positive and HBV DNA detectable).
4. Concurrent use of G-CSF or GM-CSF.
5. Prior or concurrent use of IL-2.
6. Prior or concurrent use of a CCR5 inhibitor.
7. Active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements.
8. Use of any immunomodulator, HIV vaccine, or investigational therapy within 30 days of study entry.
9. Use of human growth hormone within 30 days prior to study entry.
10. Initiation of testosterone or anabolic steroids within 30 days prior to study entry. (Exception: Chronic replacement dosages in patient's with diagnosed hypogonadism is allowed).

11. Evidence of splenic sequestration or suppressed bone marrow function:

    • Clinical or radiographic evidence of significant splenomegaly.
    • History of leukemia or lymphoma.
    • History of myelosuppressive chemotherapy or irradiation

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: TREATMENT
• Allocation: NA
• Interventional Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Masking: NONE

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

EXPERIMENTAL: Maraviroc 150 mg, 300 mg, or 600 mg twice daily; This was a single arm study where Maraviroc was added for 24 weeks. Maraviroc was dose-adjusted for concomitantly administered HIV medications according to the manufacture's recommendations: 150 mg twice daily with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, including: Protease inhibitors (except tipranavir/ ritonavir); Delavirdine; ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, nefazadone, telithromycin; Darunavir/r + etravirine300 mg twice daily with non-inducers/ non-inhibitors of CYP3A4, including:; Tipranavir/ ritonavir; Nevirapine; All NRTIs; Enfuvirtide600 mg twice daily with strong CYP3A4 inducers, including:; Efavirenz, etravirine; rifampin

Drug: Maraviroc; Maraviroc will be given dose-adjusted to background HIV treatment (150 mg, 300 mg, or 600 mg twice daily); Other Names: Selzentry

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Differences in Gene Expression Profiles Obtained at Baseline and Week 4 and Week 24.	To determine differential gene expression in T-Cells due to MVC exposure between week 0, 4 and 24 weeks. Repeated measures (RM) ANOVA was used to identify genes whose expression changed over the course of MVC administration. Multivariate permutation tests under default settings (80% confident no more than 10% false positives) were performed using BRB-Array Tools. Gene assignment to temporal profiles was performed using a non- parametric clustering algorithm in Short Time-series Expression Miner (STEM)	Baseline to Week 24

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
CD4+ T-cell Absolute Count and Percentage at Baseline, Weeks 4 and 24.	To compare the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell absolute count and percentage change at Weeks 4 and 24 from Baseline. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to assess changes in T cell counts, percentages, CD4+ T cell recovery slopes and changes in T cell phenotypes measured by flow cytometry.	Baseline to Week 24
Change in CD4+/CD8+ T-cell Immune Activation, Maturation, Regulatory and Apoptosis Markers at Baseline and Weeks 4 and 24.	To compare the percent change of CD4+/CD8+ T-cell	Baseline to Week 24

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of California, San Diego
• Collaborators: University of California, Los Angeles; Pfizer; University of Southern California; California HIV/AIDS Research Program
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Richard Haubrich, MD, University of California, San Diego

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (ACTUAL): October 20, 2008
• Primary Completion (ACTUAL): May 2, 2012
• Study Completion (ACTUAL): April 11, 2014

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 18, 2009
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 19, 2009
• First Posted (ESTIMATE): June 22, 2009

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): August 19, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 6, 2020
• Last Verified: August 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: HIV; Treatment experienced; low CD4 recovery; Low CD4 recovery despite HIV control
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: RNA Virus Infections; Virus Diseases; Infections; Blood-Borne Infections; Communicable Diseases; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Lentivirus Infections; Retroviridae Infections; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes; Immune System Diseases; HIV Infections; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Anti-Infective Agents; Antiviral Agents; Anti-HIV Agents; Anti-Retroviral Agents; HIV Fusion Inhibitors; Viral Fusion Protein Inhibitors; CCR5 Receptor Antagonists; Maraviroc
• Other Study ID Numbers: CCTG 590