A randomized, placebo controlled, double masked phase IB study evaluating the safety and antiviral activity of aprepitant, a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist in HIV-1 infected adults

Pablo Tebas, Florin Tuluc, Jeffrey S Barrett, Wayne Wagner, Deborah Kim, Huaquing Zhao, René Gonin, James Korelitz, Steven D Douglas, Pablo Tebas, Florin Tuluc, Jeffrey S Barrett, Wayne Wagner, Deborah Kim, Huaquing Zhao, René Gonin, James Korelitz, Steven D Douglas

Abstract

Background: Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) antagonists have anti-HIV activity in monocyte-derived macrophages, decrease CCR5 expression and improve natural killer cell function ex vivo. Aprepitant is a NK1R antagonist approved by FDA as an antiemetic.

Methods: We conducted a phase IB randomized, placebo controlled, double masked study to evaluate the safety, antiviral activity, pharmacokinetics and immune-modulatory effects of aprepitant in HIV-infected adults not receiving antiretroviral therapy, with CD4+ cell count ≥350 cells/mm(3) and plasma viral load ≥2,000 copies/ml. Subjects were stratified by viral load (< vs. ≥20,000 copies/ml) and randomized within each stratum to receive aprepitant at 125 mg QD(Low), or 250 mg QD(High), or placebo(PL) for 14 days, and followed for 42 days.

Results: Thirty subjects were randomized and 27 completed treatment (9, 8, 10 subjects in 125 (Low), 250 (High), and PL groups). 63% were male; 37% white; mean (SD) age 43 (9.3) years. Geometric mean baseline viral load (copies/ml) for Low, High, and PL was 15,709, 33,013, and 19,450, respectively. Mean (95%CI) change in log10 viral load at day 14 for Low, High, and PL was -0.02(-0.24,+0.20), -0.05(-0.21,+0.10), and +0.04(-0.08,+0.16), respectively. The number of subjects with AEs was 4(44.4%), 5(62.5%), and 1(10%) for Low, High, and PL. No Grade 4 AEs occurred.

Conclusions: Adverse events of aprepitant were more common in the treated groups. At the dose used in this two-week phase IB study, aprepitant showed biological activity, but no significant antiviral activity.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00428519.

Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: None of the other authors in this report declares a conflict of interest; however, HZ, RG, and JK are employees of Westat, Rockville, United States of America, a private company that provides research services to agencies of the United States Government, as well as businesses, foundations, and state and local governments. This does not alter the authors' adherence to all the PLoS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Figure 1. Changes in mean viral load…
Figure 1. Changes in mean viral load (panel A) and CD4 cell count (panel B) by study arm.
The grayed area represents the dosing period.
Figure 2. Plasma Substance P levels during…
Figure 2. Plasma Substance P levels during the study.
Figure 3. Mean aprepitant plasma concentration on…
Figure 3. Mean aprepitant plasma concentration on days 1 and 14 of the study.

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