The study seeks to define the expected blood levels of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medications (tenofovir) for cisgender women taking directly observed oral PrEP therapy to understand the frequency of PrEP dosing associated with HIV protection in cisgender women. Cisgender women will be randomly assigned to receive varying frequencies of weekly PrEP doses and followed for up to 16 weeks. The study will also investigate how pregnancy affects the expected blood levels to help define optimal dosing of PrEP for HIV prevention during pregnancy.
This is an open-label, randomized, three-arm, directly observed therapy (DOT) study. HIV-uninfected non-pregnant cisgender women at low risk for HIV acquisition will be randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dosing frequencies of DOT with Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate/Emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) oral PrEP to help differentiate poor and moderate from perfect dosing. An additional cohort of pregnant women at high risk of HIV acquisition will be recruited and will receive daily dosing of TDF/FTC oral PrEP to evaluate the impact of pregnancy on blood and cellular drug levels. Study participants will receive directly observed oral PrEP for eight weeks, and will be followed for an additional eight weeks after their final PrEP dose. Drug concentrations in blood, vaginal fluid, and tissue will be measured during the study. The primary objectives of the study are: 1. To define expected blood concentrations and dose-proportionality specific to cisgender women for tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP) in dried blood spots (DBS) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using directly observed therapy of TDF/FTC at 2, 4, and 7 doses per week, representing poor, moderate, and perfect adherence, respectively. 2. To establish a model to predict adherence rate to TDF/FTC by level of TFV-DP observed in DBS for cisgender women. HIV-uninfected non-pregnant cisgender women will be randomly assigned to 1 of 3 dosing frequencies of directly observed therapyt of TDF/FTC oral PrEP: 2, 4, or 7 doses/week to differentiate poor and moderate from perfect adherence. The study is the first to define TDF/FTC PrEP adherence-blood concentration thresholds for African cisgender women, a priority population for HIV prevention. The findings will guide accurate interpretation of adherence and success of PrEP programs in cisgender women. This data will also help guide decisions on optimal PrEP dosing for pregnant cisgender women at risk of acquiring HIV in Africa.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
72
Participants will be randomized into 1 of 3 groups to receive a controlled number of doses of a single tablet of co-formulated 300 mg TDF/ 200mg FTC
Kenya Medical Research Institute - Partners in Health Research and Development
Thika, Kenya
Concentrations of Tenofovir Disphosphate (TFV-DP) Measured at Eight Weeks in Dried Blood Spots (DBS)
TFV-DP concentrations observed in dried blood spots (DBS) after eight weeks of directly observed therapy with TDF/FTC oral PrEP, in women randomized to receive 2, 4, or 7 doses per week, representing poor, moderate, or perfect adherence, respectively. Emtricitabine triphosphate FTC-TP measures are not reported, as FTC-TP was not quantifiable in DBS samples from 100%, 81%, and 21% percent of participants receiving 2, 4, and 7 doses per week, respectively.
Time frame: Assessed at 8 weeks
Concentrations of Tenofovir Disphosphate (TFV-DP) and Emtricitabine Triphosphate (FTC-TP) Measured at Steady-state in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs).
Steady-state TFV-DP and FTC-TP concentrations observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after eight weeks of directly observed therapy with TDF/FTC oral PrEP, in women randomized to receive 2, 4, or 7 doses per week, representing poor, moderate, or perfect adherence, respectively.
Time frame: Assessed through 8 weeks
Fitted Steady-state TFV-DP Concentrations in Dried Blood Spots (DBS)
Fitted steady-state TFV-DP concentrations after eight weeks of directly observed therapy with TDF/FTC oral PrEP, in women randomized to receive 2, 4, or 7 doses per week, representing poor, moderate, or perfect adherence, respectively.
Time frame: Assessed through 8 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.