The eradication of HIV by antiretroviral therapy has thus far been elusive. It has been consistently demonstrated that a pool of latently infected, resting CD4+ T cells persists in the majority of HIV-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy in whom plasma viremia has been successfully suppressed for prolonged periods of time; this pool has emerged as the major obstacle in achieving the eradication of HIV. We believe that MK-0518 can further the decay and suppression of HIV-1 in patients who have been virologically suppressed for a prolonged period of time on effective cART (≥ 4 years).
The trial is a prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study with two phases: phase I to 48 weeks and phase II to 96 weeks with the primary analysis at 48 weeks. HIV-infected individuals who are taking their first standard cART regimen for at least four years with complete viral suppression. Upon enrollment, he/she will be randomized to one of two arms: the MK-0518 arm or the control arm. As each participant reaches week 48, he/she will be unblinded and those in the MK-0518 arm will continue taking MK-0518. Based on the results of an interim analysis, the control arm will be rolled over to receive MK-0518 for 48 weeks. After the screening, baseline visits and week 4 safety visit, follow-up visits will occur every 8 weeks for both arms.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
24
Maple Leaf Medical Clinic
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
change of proviral HIV-1 DNA in total CD4+ T cells from baseline to week 48
evaluate the change of proviral HIV-1 DNA in total CD4+ T cells from baseline to week 48 in participants randomized to the raltegravir arm (400mg raltegravir) for 48 weeks in addition to their current standard combination antiretroviral regimen versus the control arm, who remained on their current standard combination antiretroviral regimen.
Time frame: 48 weeks
evaluated the effect of raltegravir intensification on blood CD4+ T cell populations
evaluated the effect of raltegravir intensification on blood CD4+ T cell populations. In addition, after treatment-intensification in both groups at week 48, a post-hoc follow-up of all participants was conducted up to week 96 to examine if raltegravir intensification had any long-term effects on proviral HIV DNA and CD4+ T cell populations in the blood and gut.
Time frame: 48 & 96 weeks
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gut samples as per protocol