Management of Cardiovascular Disease in Kidney Disease (MaCK) Study

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the largest concerns for patients with Chronic kidney disease (CKD). At present time the investigators do not have proven effective strategies to reduce high CVD related deaths in CKD. This study assesses a novel therapy (hydroxychloroquine, HCQ) for the treatment of CVD in patients with CKD. This is the first human proof-of-concept study and is planned to be conducted among US Veterans, who suffer from both CKD and CVD at a disproportionately greater rates. The outcome of this study has the potential to provide an entirely new line of therapy for the treatment of CVD in CKD.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most prominent cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and end stage kidney disease (ESKD). Unfortunately at the present time, the investigators do not have an effective treatment to reduce the high CVD mortality in these populations. Accelerated atherosclerosis, inflammation, and vascular stiffness are prominent factors contributing to CVD in CKD. Interventions that can effectively counter these factors may provide significant benefits for the management of CVD in CKD. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is an inexpensive and safe anti-inflammatory drug that has been in clinical use for over 4 decades even in patients with CKD and ESKD. In recent times, multiple in vitro, in vivo, and human cohort based data have shown that HCQ benefits multiple parameters of CVD, including inflammation, endothelial function, metabolic syndrome, insulin sensitivity and atherosclerosis. Recently the investigators through the animal studies validated that HCQ indeed has significant anti-atherosclerosis and vasculoprotective effects in CKD milieu. The investigators further conducted a small, human, feasibility study that shows a potential for HCQ on parameters relevant to CVD in CKD. As the next step, the investigators propose to conduct a proof-of-concept, randomized controlled trial (RCT) to ascertain the effects of HCQ on the structural, functional, and biochemical measures of atherosclerosis and CVD. The investigators will enroll 100 albuminuric, stage 3b CKD subjects in a with 1:1 allocation (HCQ : placebo) and treat for a duration of 18 months. The investigators' three specific aims are as follows: Specific Aim (SA) 1 will evaluate the ability of HCQ, compared to placebo, to slow the progression, or reverse atherosclerosis through serial examination of carotid atherosclerosis through non-contrast MRI performed at baseline and after 9 and 18 months of treatment with HCQ or placebo. The investigators will measure the change in total carotid plaque volume (TPV) as the primary outcome measure, and changes in total plaque surface area, maximal stenosis, and the type (fibrous, stable, or unstable), and stability of plaques as secondary outcome measures. SA2 will evaluate the impact of HCQ vs. placebo on inflammation (SA2a), and vascular stiffness (SA2b) at baseline, and at 6, 9, 12, and 18 months as secondary outcome measures. The investigators will quantify inflammation through high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (SA2a) and vascular stiffness through measurements of aortic pulse wave velocity (SA2b). Specific Aim 3 will examine the effect of HCQ and placebo on the trends of hard cardiac and renal outcomes and drug safety. The results of this trial will provide critical preliminary data to justify and plan a definitive, multicenter RCT to examine the effects of HCQ on hard outcomes of CVD in CKD. Additionally, this study may provide insights into the importance of select inflammatory and vascular factors in CVD with wider future implications for those with CKD and perhaps the general population.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Veteran
* Age 18-80 years;
* Moderate to severe CKD at the time of screening, defined as one of the following: 1) Stage 3b or 4 CKD with latest eGFR of 25-59, with diabetes mellitus, OR 2) Stage 3b or 4 CKD with latest eGFR of 25 to 45 mL/min and maximum recorded albuminuria defined as urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) of 30 mg/g, OR 3) Stage 3a CKD with eGFR 46-59 ml/min with urine albumin/creatinine (UACR) 100 mg/gm

Exclusion Criteria:

* G6PD deficiency or known hypersensitivity to 4-aminoquinoline
* Conventional contraindications for non-contrast MRI examination including

  * Permanent pacemaker
  * Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
  * Significant fear of closed space
  * Claustrophobia that prevents patients from participating
  * Inability to lie down
* Abnormal liver functions or diagnosis of cirrhosis

  * AST and ALT more than 1.5 times the normal or INR without being anti-coagulated greater than 1.4
* History of documented non-adherence to therapy

  * Inability to attend treatment or follow-up scheduling
* Less than 6 months since initiation of 'Statins'
* Prior history of any dialysis within last 12 months, or history of diagnosed AKI in the prior three months
* History of acute cardiovascular event defined as:

  * myocardial infarction
  * stroke or new diagnosis of congestive heart failure or heart failure related admission in prior 3 months
* History of prolonged QTc interval 450, For patients with BBB an adjusted QT interval \>450
* Known chronic active infections like HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C positive, chronic osteomyelitis etc.
* Recent serious infection including requiring hospitalization within 3 months or Recent minor infection such as skin, soft tissue or respiratory infections within 30 days of enrollment
* Active or recently treated (\< 1 year in remission) malignancy, transplantation, or systemic inflammatory diseases

  * Patients with localized squamous cell carcinoma of the skin are eligible
* Use of systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppression within last 3 months (acute course of steroid for a gouty arthritis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is eligible if \> 1 month ago)
* Pregnancy, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant during the course of the study
* Life expectancy less than 12 months or uncontrolled congestive heart failure (CHF)

  * defined as more than 2 admissions in prior 6 months)
* Any other condition the PI determines may put the research subject in jeopardy during the course of the study
* Recent unexplained weight loss or vision changes