The main goal of this study is to identify and characterise the anatomical component of the replication competent HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1) reservoir. The investigators hypothesize that the clinically relevant HIV-1 reservoir is hiding in various but specific anatomic compartments and is able to rebound when therapy is stopped. This reservoir is probably smaller than the HIV-1 reservoir hiding in the blood but could be more transcriptional active because of its specific environment, possibly influenced by lower concentrations of the antiretroviral therapy. The current proposal will, for the first time, identify the source of the viral reservoir by phylogenetically backtracking the viral genome of the rebounding virus to the sequences of viral DNA (DeoxyriboNucleic Acid) in different anatomical compartments. The subsequent characterization of the viral reservoir markers (size, integration sites, methylation profile, stimulation and inhibition assays) will enable us to understand how this viral rebound occurred.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
12
The participants will undergo in depth sampling under CART to characterise the HIV reservoir in different anatomical compartments. Subsequently an experimental viral rebound, by a brief therapy stop, will help us identify the clinically relevant viral reservoir by doing phylogenetic analysis on the rebounding virus and on the virus found in the different compartments under CART.
UZ Gent
Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
Phylogenetic analysis of the virus found in the different compartments under treatment and of the virus in the plasma at viral rebound.
Genetically link the viral reservoir in different anatomical reservoirs to the rebounding virus found in the plasma after therapy-stop by doing phylogenetic analysis. This will be done by a method called single proviral sequencing.
Time frame: 24 months
Number of patients with adverse events that are related to the study intervention, graded according to NCI CTCAE Version 4.0
Assess safety of the experimental treatment interruption for future clinical trials. Confirmation of the safety of a treatment interruption strategy in selected patients will be based on the number and intensity of AEs (adverse events) graded according to the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.0 (CTCAE) on a five-point scale (Grade 1 to 5: Mild, Moderate, Severe, Life-threatening and Death).
Time frame: 24 months
The severity of adverse events that are related to the study intervention, graded according to NCI CTCAE Version 4.0
Assess safety of the experimental treatment interruption for future clinical trials. Confirmation of the safety of a treatment interruption strategy in selected patients will be based on the number and intensity of AEs (adverse events) graded according to the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.0 (CTCAE) on a five-point scale (Grade 1 to 5: Mild, Moderate, Severe, Life-threatening and Death).
Time frame: 24 months
Psychological effects of treatment interruption
The investigators will evaluate psychological effects of the treatment interruption by a questionnaire.
Time frame: 24 months
Evaluation of the reservoir replenishment by quantifying the viral reservoir under combined antiretroviral therapy (CART) in various anatomic compartments.(Total HIV DNA, integrated HIV DNA, Cell-associated-HIV RNA).
Assessment of the viral reservoir magnitude prior and after treatment interruption by quantification of viral reservoir by ultrasensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods.
Time frame: 24 months
Evaluation of the reservoir replenishment by quantifying the viral reservoir under combined antiretroviral therapy (CART) in various anatomic compartments.(viral outgrowth assay).
Assessment of the viral reservoir magnitude prior and after treatment interruption by replication competence of the virus by reactivation assays.
Time frame: 24 months
Therapeutic drug monitoring assessed by drug concentrations measured in the different compartments
assess drug concentrations in different compartments and its significance in maintaining the HIV reservoir
Time frame: 24 months
Assessment of the kinetics of HIV viral load rebound after treatment interruption based on the repetitive plasma viral load measurements.
The kinetics will be on the plasma viral load (expressed in copies/ml) measured two-weekly until viral rebound.
Time frame: 6 months
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