Effect of Isotretinoin on Immune Activation Among HIV-1 Infected Subjects With Incomplete CD4+ T Cell Recovery

A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study to Evaluate the Effect of Isotretinoin on Immune Activation Among HIV-1 Infected Subjects With Incomplete CD4+ T Cell Recovery on Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

This phase II study was done in HIV-infected participants on antiretroviral therapy to evaluate the effects of isotretinoin (a drug that is approved for use in the treatment of severe acne) on the immune system. The immune system helps the body fight infections. When the immune system is not working well, one may be at greater risk for diseases that are common in aging, like heart disease, weaker bones, and kidney disease.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: HIV-1 Infection
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: Isotretinoin

Detailed Description

Isotretinoin was administered to participants in the Isotretinoin arm at approximately 0.5 mg/kg PO once daily for 4 weeks, then increased to approximately 1.0 mg/kg PO once daily for 12 weeks. Follow-up continues to week 28 to evaluate the duration of effect. Randomization was stratified by willingness to participate in the gut biopsy substudy, A5330s. The study population included HIV-1 infected adults whose virus was suppressed on ART, excluding women of child bearing potential.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 76
• Phase: Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Puerto Rico
  • San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00931
    • 5401 Puerto Rico AIDS Clinical Trials Unit CRS
• United States
  • Alabama
    • Birmingham, Alabama, United States, 35294
      • 31788 Alabama CRS
  • California
    • Los Angeles, California, United States, 90035
      • 601 University of California, Los Angeles CARE Center CRS
    • San Francisco, California, United States, 94110
      • 801 University of California, San Francisco HIV/AIDS CRS
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
      • 101 Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) CRS
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02115
      • 107 Brigham and Women's Hosp. ACTG CRS
  • Missouri
    • Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63110
      • 2101 Washington University Therapeutics (WT) CRS
  • New Jersey
    • Newark, New Jersey, United States, 07103
      • 31786 New Jersey Medical School Clinical Research Center CRS
  • New York
    • Rochester, New York, United States, 14642
      • 31787 University of Rochester Adult HIV Therapeutic Strategies Network CRS
  • North Carolina
    • Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, 27516
      • 3201 Chapel Hill CRS
    • Greensboro, North Carolina, United States, 27401
      • 3203 Greensboro CRS
  • Ohio
    • Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, 45267-0405
      • 2401 Cincinnati CRS
  • Rhode Island
    • Providence, Rhode Island, United States, 02906
      • 2951 The Miriam Hospital (TMH) ACTG CRS
  • Tennessee
    • Nashville, Tennessee, United States, 37204
      • 3652 Vanderbilt Therapeutics (VT) CRS
  • Texas
    • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
      • 31473 Houston AIDS Research Team (HART) CRS

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

- HIV-1 infection, documented by any licensed rapid HIV test or HIV enzyme or chemiluminescence immunoassay (E/CIA) test kit at any time prior to study entry and confirmed by a licensed Western blot or a second antibody test by a method other than the initial rapid HIV and/or E/CIA, or by HIV-1 antigen, plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load.

NOTE: The term "licensed" refers to a US FDA-approved kit, which is required for all IND studies.

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines mandate that confirmation of the initial test result must use a test that is different from the one used for the initial assessment. A reactive initial rapid test should be confirmed by either another type of rapid assay or an E/CIA that is based on a different antigen preparation and/or different test principle (eg, indirect versus competitive), or a Western blot or a plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load.

• Receiving ART therapy for at least 12 months prior to study entry.
• No plans to change the ART regimen in the 6 months after study entry.
• HIV-1 RNA below the lower limit of detection using an FDA-approved assay obtained within 30 days prior to study entry by any laboratory that has a CLIA certification or its equivalent (eg, <50 copies/mL on Roche Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor assay, <75 copies/mL on the Versant HIV-1 RNA assay by branched DNA, <40 copies/mL on the Abbott m2000sp/m2000rt real-time PCR test, < 20 copies/mL on the COBAS AmpliPrep/TAQMAN HIV-1 assay).
• All measurements of HIV-1 RNA within the 12 months prior to study entry must be below the limit of detection with the following exception:

NOTE A: 1 viral blip (<200 copies/mL) is permitted if it is preceded and followed by viral loads below the limits of detection.

NOTE B: The virologic assay must have a lower limit of detection of ≤ 75 copies/mL.

• CD4+ cell count <350 cells/mm3 obtained at screening within 30 days prior to entry at any laboratory that has a CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) certification or its equivalent.

• The following laboratory values obtained within 30 days prior to entry by any laboratory that has a CLIA certification or its equivalent:

  1. Hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c) levels ≤ 6.5%
  2. Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL
  3. Platelet count ≥ 50,000/mm3
  4. Creatinine ≤1.5 mg/dl
  5. CrCl ≥ 60 mL/min, calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault method
  6. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (SGOT) ≤1.5x upper limit of normal (ULN)
  7. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (SGPT) ≤1.5x ULN
  8. Serum lipase ≤1.5x ULN
  9. Fasting triglyceride level ≤200 mg/dL
  10. Fasting glucose <126mg/dL
• Karnofsky performance score >/=70 within 30 days prior to entry.
• Men and post-menopausal females aged ≥ 18 years and ≤ 80 years at entry.

Note: Post-menopausal is defined as having either:

1. Appropriate medical documentation (see note) of prior complete bilateral oophorectomy (i.e., surgical removal of the ovaries, resulting in "surgical menopause" and occurring at the age at which the procedure was performed), OR
2. Permanent cessation (12 consecutive months or more of amenorrhea) of previously occurring menses as a result of ovarian failure with documentation of hormonal deficiency by a certified healthcare provider (i.e., "spontaneous menopause").

Hormonal deficiency should be properly documented (see note) in the case of suspected spontaneous menopause as follows:

1. If age >54 years and with the absence of normal menses: Serum FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) level elevated to within the post-menopausal range based on the laboratory reference range where the hormonal assay is performed.
2. If age ≤ 54 years and with the absence of normal menses: Negative serum or urine HCG with concurrently elevated serum FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) level in the post-menopausal range, depressed estradiol (E2) level in the post-menopausal range, and absent serum progesterone level, based on the laboratory reference ranges where the hormonal assays are performed.

NOTE: "Appropriate documentation", and "properly documented" means written documentation or oral communication from a clinician or clinician's staff documented in source documents of an operative report, discharge summary, or

• No active hepatitis B or C infection. NOTE: For subjects who have documentation of prior infection, but no active hepatitis infection, evidence of clearance must be greater than 1 year.
• Ability and willingness of subject to provide informed consent.
• Willingness to adhere to the iPLEDGE program requirements.
• Indication of willingness to participate in the substudy A5330s. NOTE: In the event that 12 or fewer subjects have enrolled into A5330s by the time enrollment in the main study has reached 50% of the accrual target, A5330s enrollment will be required.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pre-existing diagnosis of diabetes.
• Currently receiving treatment with fibrate, nicotinic acid, tetracycline, fish oil >1g/d, or methotrexate.
• Known active healing fracture or any severe bone disorders. NOTE: does not include healed fractures or history of old fractures.
• Receipt of any of the following medications within 30 days prior to entry: systemic steroids (including intra-articular steroids; inhaled or nasal steroid therapy is permitted), interleukins, systemic interferons (including intra-articular steroid injection; local injection of interferon alpha for treatment of human papilloma virus is permitted), or systemic chemotherapy.
• Known allergy/sensitivity or any hypersensitivity to vitamin A, retinoids, or any of their derivatives.
• Active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements.
• Acute or serious illness requiring systemic treatment and/or hospitalization within 60 days prior to entry.
• Weight < 40 kg or > 150 kg.
• History of major depression or suicide attempt requiring hospitalization, or psychotic episode requiring medication or hospitalization.
• History of inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease, or Ulcerative colitis.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Isotretinoin Arm; Participants received Isotretinoin at approximately 0.5 mg/kg orally once daily for 4 weeks, then increased to approximately 1.0 mg/kg orally once daily for 12 weeks.	Drug: Isotretinoin; Isotretinoin is a drug that is approved for use in the treatment of severe acne. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of Isotretinoin on immune activation and inflammation.; Other Names: 13-cis-retinoic acid
No Intervention: No study treatment Arm; No Isotretinoin treatment

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in CD8+ T-cell Activation From Baseline to Week 14/16	Level of CD8+ T-cell activation was determined by measuring the percentage of CD8+ T-cells that expressed both the activation marker CD38+ and Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR+. The endpoint is measuring the change from baseline to week 14/16, where baseline is defined as the average of pre-entry and entry, and week 14/16 is defined as the average of week 14 and week 16. Change = (week 14/16 - baseline).	baseline, week 14/16

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in CD8+ T-cell Activation	Level of CD8+ T-cell activation was determined by measuring the percentage of CD8+ T-cells that expressed both the activation marker CD38+ and Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR+. The endpoint is measuring the change from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16) and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Baseline is defined as the average of pre-entry and entry, and week 14/16 is defined as the average of week 14 and week 16.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Change in sCD14	sCD14 (soluble cluster of differentiation 14) is a marker of gut microbial translocation and monocyte activation. The outcome measures are changes in log10 transformed sCD14 from baseline to week 14/16 (week 14/16 - baseline), from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16), and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Change in I-FABP	I-FABP (intestinal-fatty acid binding protein) is a marker of intestinal cell damage and turnover. The outcome measures are changes in log10 transformed I-FABP from baseline to week 14/16 (week 14/16 - baseline), from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16), and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Change in IL-6	IL-6 (Interleukin-6) is a marker of systemic inflammation. The outcome measures are changes in log10 transformed IL-6 from baseline to week 14/16 (week 14/16 - baseline), from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16), and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Change in hsCRP	hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is a marker of inflammation. Change in log10 transformed hsCRP from baseline to week 14/16 (week 14/16 - baseline), from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16), and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Change in sTNF-r1	sTNF-r1 (soluble tumour necrosis alpha receptor 1) is a marker of inflammation. Change in log10 transformed sTNF-r1 from baseline to week 14/16 (week 14/16 - baseline), from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16), and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Change in sTNF-r2	sTNF-r2 (soluble tumour necrosis alpha receptor 2) is a marker of inflammation. Change in log10 transformed sTNF-r2 from baseline to week 14/16 (week 14/16 - baseline), from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16), and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Change in D-dimer	D-dimer (or D dimer) is a marker of coagulation activation. Change in log10 transformed D-dimer from baseline to week 14/16 (week 14/16 - baseline), from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16), and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Change in TF	TF (Tissue Factor) is a marker of Coagulation. Change in log10 transformed TF from baseline to week 14/16 (week 14/16 - baseline), from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16), and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Change in sCD163	sCD163 (soluble CD 163) is a marker of macrophage activation Change in log10 transformed sCD163 from baseline to week 14/16 (week 14/16 - baseline), from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16), and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Change in CD4+ T-cell Count	Change in peripheral total CD4 cell count from baseline to week 14/16 (week 14/16 - baseline), from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16), and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Change in Cell-associated HIV-1 RNA	Cell-associated HIV-1 RNA in blood from baseline to week 14/16(week 14/16 - baseline), from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16), and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16. For cell-associated HIV-1 RNA results below the assay limit, the lowest value of the sample was imputed to these results (1.32 log10 copies/10^6 CD4 cells). Since there are only a few results below the assay limit, it is still reasonable to summarize the absolute changes for cell-associated HIV-1 RNA, where changes were calculated based on the imputed values (described above) for below assay limit results.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Cell-associated HIV-1 DNA	Cell-associated HIV-1 DNA in blood at baseline, week 14/16, and week 28. Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16. For cell-associated HIV-1 DNA results below the assay limit, the lowest value of the sample was imputed to these results and considered lowest ranks (1.62 log10 copies/10^6 CD4 cells). It was originally planned to summarize the absolute changes for cell-associated HIV-1 DNA. However, since there are many results below limit of detection, analyzing the absolute changes would be inappropriate in this case. Instead, the baseline, week 14/16, and week 28 levels were summarized.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Change in Treg Frequency (%FoxP3+/CD25hi+/CD39+/CD127-(CD4+))	Treg (T Regulatory) Cells are a subpopulation of T cells which modulate the immune system. The outcome measure is the change in percent FoxP3+/CD25hi+/CD39+/CD127-(CD4+) from baseline to week 14/16 (week 14/16 - baseline), from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16), and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Change in Th17 Frequency (%IFNg-/IL17+(CD161+/CCR6+))	Th17 (T-helper 17) cells are a subset of pro-inflammatory T helper cells defined by their production of interleukin 17 (IL-17). The outcome is the change in percent IFNg-/IL17+(CD161+/CCR6+) from baseline to week 14/16 (week 14/16 - baseline), from week 14/16 to week 28 (week 28 - week 14/16), and from baseline to week 28 (week 28 - baseline). Levels measured at pre-entry and entry were averaged for baseline, levels measured at week 14 and week 16 were averaged for week 14/16.	baseline, week 14/16, week 28
Pharmacokinetics - Endogenous Levels of Retinoid Metabolites for Isotretinoin Arm	Isotretinoin Arm (Arm A) only. Endogenous retinoid metabolites are defined as the average concentrations of Retinol, and Total Retinyl Ester from weeks 0, 20, and 28.	weeks 0, 20, 28
Pharmacokinetics - Steady-state Trough Concentrations of Isotretinoin for Isotretinoin Arm	Isotretinoin arm (Arm A) only, steady-state trough concentrations of Isotretinoin is defined as the average of 'eligible' concentrations at weeks 8, 12, and 16, where 'eligible' means the time from the previous dose to the blood draw of the sample must have been in the 14-to-30 hour range, and the participant must have taken at least 3 doses in the prior 4 days.	weeks 8, 12, 16
Pharmacokinetics - Trough Concentrations of TDF for Isotretinoin Arm	Isotretinoin arm (Arm A) only, trough concentrations of TDF (Tenofovir) is defined as the average of 'eligible' concentrations, where 'eligible' means the time from the previous dose to the blood draw of the sample must have been in the 20-to-28 hour range, and the participant must have taken at least 3 doses in the prior 4 days. TDF trough during Isotretinoin administration is the average of 'eligible' concentrations from weeks 8, 12, and 16; TDF trough without Isotretinoin administration is the average of 'eligible' concentrations from weeks 0 and 20. (Week 28 data is not available.)	weeks 0, 8, 12, 16, 20
Pharmacokinetics - 12-hour Levels of EFV for Isotretinoin Arm	Isotretinoin arm (Arm A) only, 12-hour levels of EFV (Efavirenz) is defined as the average of 'eligible' concentrations, where 'eligible' means the time from the previous dose to the blood draw of the sample must have been in the 9-to-15 hour range, and the participant must have taken at least 3 doses in the prior 4 days. EFV trough during Isotretinoin administration is the average of 'eligible' concentrations from weeks 8, 12, and 16; EFV trough without Isotretinoin administration is the average of 'eligible' concentrations from weeks 0 and 20. (Week 28 data is not available.)	weeks 0, 8, 12, 16, 20
Primary Targeted Adverse Events	Targeted events for A5325 include: events that meet the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) definitions for a serious adverse event, post-entry signs/symptoms and laboratory abnormalities of Grade ≥3 or that lead to a change in treatment regardless of grade, and any diagnoses.	from study entry to end of study (week 28)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: AIDS Clinical Trials Group
• Collaborators: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
• Investigators: Study Chair: Douglas Kwon, MD, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital; Study Chair: Nina Lin, MD, Harvard Medical School (HMS and HSDM)

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): July 2, 2014
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 1, 2016
• Study Completion (Actual): November 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 21, 2013
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 21, 2013
• First Posted (Estimate): October 25, 2013

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 3, 2021
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 31, 2021
• Last Verified: March 1, 2019

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: HIV-1; immune activation; Isotretinoin; immunology markers; viral suppression
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Dermatologic Agents; Isotretinoin
• Other Study ID Numbers: ACTG A5325; UM1AI068636 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)