Lovastatin: Immunomodulatory Value Evaluation

Universidad de Antioquia112 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the long-term administration of statins may benefit the clinical and immunological evolution in HIV-1-infected individuals before the use of antiretroviral therapy is required.

Despite the fact that HAART produces a decrease in HIV-1 replication and plasma HIV-1 RNA levels, and allows an increase in the CD4 T-cell count that leads to a diminution in the incidence of opportunistic infections and mortality, the cost and complexity of HAART regimens, the growing list of long-term side effects, and the eventual development of resistance have underscored the immediate need for additional therapeutic approaches. Statins exert pleiotropic effects through a variety of mechanisms, among which there are several immunological effects that are related and unrelated to their cholesterol-lowering activity. HIV-1 requires cholesterol and lipid rafts for several key stages of its replication cycle; statins-mediated depletion of cholesterol alters the capacity of a cell to form lipid rafts and decreases the HIV-1 infectivity. On the other hand, statins may exert significant modulator effects in the balance of the cytokine network, and alter the activity of Rho GTPases and LFA-1 and ICAM-1 adhesion molecules. Preliminary studies showed that statins (Lovastatin) had anti HIV-1 activity, and that its administration was safe and efficient to control HIV-1 infection in chronically infected individuals who did not receive HAART (in terms of decreasing viral load and increasing CD4 T-cell count). Because very limited clinical data are available on this topic, this study will be conducted.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

112

Conditions

HIV Seropositivity

Interventions

LovastatinDRUG

Lovastatin 40 mg daily (2 tablets of 20 mg each, p.o.), during twelve months until the end of the study, or before the end of the study if any AIDS defining disease or toxicity appear

placeboOTHER

Placebo will be administered daily (2 tablets which will look externally identical to intervention: wrapped in the same way, with the same size, shape and color), during twelve months until the end of the study, or before the end of the study if any AIDS defining disease or toxicity appear

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositive individuals, with age ≥ 18 years, who are HAART naive * HIV-1 infection confirmed by: * positive Western-blot test dated at least six months before admission to the study; * a Western-blot test within the last six months, which was also positive for the p31 and p66 bands * Detectable viral load \< 100,000 copies/ml * CD4+ T cell count ≥ 350 cells/ul Exclusion Criteria: * Inability or unwillingness of patients to give written informed consent. * Main residence outside Medellin and its metropolitan area, or any indication of difficulties in the follow-up period * Participation in other clinical trials * Evidence that the patient will exhibit low adherence to intervention and follow-up (Morisky-Green test) * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Any type of antiretroviral treatment before admission to the study, and therapy with lipid-lowering drugs during the last six months * Antecedents of allergy, contraindications or intolerance to statins * Patients receiving medications which can generate relevant interactions with lovastatin: clarithromycin, erythromycin, azithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefodozone, cimetidine, rifampin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin. * Unwillingness to avoid the consumption of Citrus paradise (grapefruit juice) or Saint John's Wort (Hypericum) * Opportunistic infections or any type of AIDS-defining disease * Chronic active hepatitis (B or C) * Any hepatocellular disease, indicated by elevation of liver enzymes (AST or ALT) more than twice the reference value * Renal failure, indicated by serum creatinine ≥ 2 mg/dl * Myopathy, indicated by an elevation of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) more than five times the reference values * Infection or acute disease that requires in-patient treatment * Active substance-related disorders

Locations (1)

Group of Immunovirology, Research Universitary Center, University of Antioquia

Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

1. HIV-1 viral load measured as RNA copies per ml of peripheral blood 2. CD4 T-cell count measured as cells per ul of peripheral blood

Time frame: Before, 6 and twelve months after the intervention

Secondary Outcomes

CD8+ T cell count, CD4/CD8 ratio, Expression of CD38 and HLA-DR, Total serum cholesterol, Cellular cholesterol, Activity of LFA-1 and ICAM-1, Activity of Rho GTPases, Monthly frequency of AIDS defining diseases, hospitalization and mortality

Time frame: Before, 6 and twelve months after the intervention

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.