This is a research study to better understand how long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) works to prevent HIV in people. This study will also evaluate the impact of endogenous and therapeutic hormones on CAB-LA pharmacology. The investigators will also evaluate if participants experience any medical problems when taking CAB-LA.
The CHIPP-PrEP protocol is a phase 1, open label study to compare the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of long-acting cabotegravir injectable (CAB-LA) administration in adults aged 19 years or older. Long-acting cabotegravir (Apretude™) is an FDA-approved injectable antiretroviral medication administered every two months for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). While clinical efficacy trials have demonstrated CAB-LA's effectiveness in preventing HIV infection, knowledge gaps remain regarding drug penetration into mucosal tissues where HIV transmission primarily occurs and potential drug-drug interactions with therapeutic hormone therapies. Current PK data derives predominantly from plasma measurements, which may not accurately reflect drug concentrations at actual sites of HIV exposure in rectal and genital mucosa. This study addresses these critical gaps by directly measuring CAB-LA concentrations in blood, mucosal tissues, and genital secretions across three distinct population cohorts: males not using exogenous hormones, males using therapeutic hormone therapy, and females using non-hormonal contraception. This design enables isolation of hormone effects on CAB-LA pharmacokinetics while controlling for biological sex differences. Following successful screening, eligible participants will return for a Baseline Visit (Day 0) to complete pre-treatment evaluations. At baseline, participants will undergo laboratory assessment of circulating hormone concentrations (estradiol and testosterone), HIV antibody/antigen and RNA testing to confirm HIV-negative status, and collection of rectal biopsies (all participants) and cervical biopsies (females only) for baseline HIV explant challenge pharmacodynamic assessment. These baseline tissue samples undergo ex vivo HIV-1 challenge experiments to establish pre-treatment viral susceptibility prior to CAB-LA exposure. One week following baseline biopsy collection (Visit 1, Day 7), participants will be administered a single 3 mL intramuscular injection of 600 mg cabotegravir long-acting injectable suspension (Apretude™, ViiV Healthcare; 200 mg/mL formulation) using the recommended ventrogluteal approach by licensed clinical staff. Biopsy Collection Visits will occur at study visits 2,4, 6, 7, and 8 (Days 7, 14, 35, 63, and 91). At these intensive study visits, blood will be collected for hormone testing (estradiol and testosterone), plasma CAB-LA concentration determination, and eGFR monitoring. Rectal fluid and cervicovaginal fluid will be collected using specialized swabs to measure mucosal drug concentrations. Rectal biopsies (all participants) and cervical biopsies (females only) will be collected using flexible sigmoidoscopy and standard gynecological techniques, respectively, for both tissue drug concentration measurement and pharmacodynamic HIV explant challenge experiments. Interim Pharmacokinetic Visits (Visits 3 and 5 at Days 10 and 21): Blood will be collected for plasma CAB-LA concentration determination, eGFR assessment, and hormone measurements. A final safety visit (Visit 9 at Day 98) will be performed. Select concomitant medications, with particular emphasis on exogenous hormones and medications that may affect cabotegravir or hormone metabolism, will be collected on daily concomitant medication logs maintained by participants throughout the study. Safety assessments, including history/physical, chemistry/hematology labs at screening and interim history will be performed at study visits
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
32
A single dose of 600 mg CAB-LA (ApretudeTM; 200 mg/mL) will be prescribed and administered only once during the study. ApretudeTM manufactured by ViiV Healthcare and is a sterile white to slightly pink suspension containing 200 mg/mL of CAB as free acid for administration by intramuscular injection. The product is packaged in a 3 mL USP Type I glass vial with a 13 mm gray stopper and aluminum seal. Each vial is for single use containing a withdrawable fill of 2.0 mL and does not require dilution prior to administration. CAB LA injectable suspension is to be stored at up to 30°C, do not freeze. The dose selected is the FDA-recommended CAB-LA PrEP dose.
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Drug Development Unit
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
RECRUITINGPlasma CAB concentration
Plasma CAB concentration in ng/mL, stratified by sex and therapeutic hormone status
Time frame: Day 1 (24 hours), Day 3 (72 hours), Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12
Plasma CAB area under the concentration curve
Plasma CAB area under the concentration curve in ng.h/mL from time 0 to week 12 (AUC0-Wk12) and infinity (AUC0-inf), stratified by sex and therapeutic hormone status
Time frame: 0-12 weeks, AUC inf
Rectal Tissue CAB concentrations
Rectal Tissue CAB concentrations in ng/mg, stratified by sex and therapeutic hormone status
Time frame: Day 1 (24 hours), Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12
Rectal Fluid CAB concentrations
Rectal Fluid CAB concentrations in ng/mg, stratified by sex and therapeutic hormone status
Time frame: Day 1 (24 hours), Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12
Cervical Tissue CAB concentrations , in females only
Cervical Tissue CAB concentrations in ng/mg
Time frame: Day 1 (24 hours), Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12
Cervicovaginal Fluid CAB concentrations, in females only
Cervicovaginal Fluid CAB concentrations in ng/mg
Time frame: Day 1 (24 hours), Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12
Serum Estradiol Concentration
Serum Estradiol Concentration in pg/mL, stratified by sex and therapeutic hormone status
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Time frame: Baseline (enrollment), and Day 1 (24 hours), Day 3 (72 hours), Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12
Serum Testosterone Concentration
Serum Testosterone (free, total) Concentration in ng/dL, stratified by sex and therapeutic hormone status
Time frame: Baseline (enrollment), and Day 1 (24 hours), Day 3 (72 hours), Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12
Serum Luteinizing Hormone Concentration
Serum Luteinizing Hormone Concentration in mIU/mL, stratified by sex and therapeutic hormone status
Time frame: Baseline (enrollment), and Day 1 (24 hours), Day 3 (72 hours), Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12
Serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone Concentration
Serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone Concentration in mIU/mL, stratified by sex and therapeutic hormone status
Time frame: Baseline (enrollment), and Day 1 (24 hours), Day 3 (72 hours), Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12
Cervical Tissue explant p24 antigen concentrations
Cervical Tissue explant p24 antigen concentrations in pg/mL, in female participants
Time frame: Baseline (enrollment), and Day 1 (24 hours), Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12
Rectal Tissue explant p24 antigen concentration
Rectal Tissue explant p24 antigen concentration in pg/mL, stratified by sex and therapeutic hormone status
Time frame: Baseline (enrollment), and Day 1 (24 hours), Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, and Week 12