IMPAACT P1063: Safety and Effectiveness of Atorvastatin in HIV Infected Children and Adolescents With Hyperlipidemia

Treatment of HIV with combination antiretroviral regimens frequently results in the suppression of HIV viral load, significant immune recovery, and delayed disease progression. However, treatment with these regimens, particularly protease inhibitors (PIs), has been associated with significant increases in cholesterol and triglycerides in HIV-infected adults and children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of escalating doses of atorvastatin, a FDA-approved drug which lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels, in HIV-infected children receiving stable antiretroviral regimens.

Antiretroviral regimens, particularly those containing PIs, often cause hyperlipidemia, which is an increase in the amount of fat (such as cholesterol and triglycerides) in the blood. These increases can lead to heart disease and pancreatitis. Although the mechanism by which PIs cause hyperlipidemia is not clearly understood, there are medications to combat this side effect. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of escalating doses of atorvastatin, based on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, in HIV-infected children receiving stable antiretroviral therapy.

Participants were assigned to one of two groups based on age (10 to 14 years or 15 to 23 years) and were treated for a maximum of 48 weeks. The first six participants enrolled in the study were in the 15 to 23 year old age group. Once safety data through week 8 on these 6 participants was analyzed, the remaining participants were enrolled. All participants received atorvastatin in combination with a stable antiretroviral regimen. Each participant was followed independently according to a dose escalation algorithm for atorvastatin. Participants began dosing at 10 mg daily. If efficacy criteria were not met, dosing increased to 20 mg daily at week 8. Since dose escalations were done within subject, safety and efficacy rates were presented for the dose-escalation strategy overall and not for individual doses. Atorvastatin was provided by the study, but antiretrovirals were not.

Study visits occurred at study entry and weeks 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48. Safety labs were collected at all study visits. Blood collection for lipid measurements occurred at weeks 4, 12, 24 and 48.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* A diagnosis of HIV-1 infection
* CD4 % of at least 15 at screening
* HIV-1 viral load of less than 10,000 copies/ml at screening
* On a stable antiretroviral therapy regimen for at least 6 months
* Tanner stage of 2 or higher
* At least two LDL-C measurements of 130 mg/dL or higher over the 6 months prior to screening and after documented attempts at modifying diet and other risk factors. More information on this criterion can be found in the protocol.
* Able to fast overnight for 8 hours
* Negative pregnancy test at screening
* Agree to use two appropriate forms of contraception (female participants). More information on this criterion can be found in the protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Certain abnormal laboratory values
* Any laboratory or unresolved clinical toxicity of Grade 3 or higher
* Unlikely to remain on current antiretroviral therapy for at least six months after study entry
* Use of statin, fibrate, or niacin within 3 months prior to study entry
* Evidence of chronic ongoing myositis or history of myopathy or neuromuscular disorder
* Symptomatic peripheral neuropathy within 6 months prior to study entry
* Pharmacologic treatment for depression or other mental disorder excluding Attention Deficit Disorder within 30 days prior to study entry
* Presence of an active CDC Stage C opportunistic infection or serious bacterial infection requiring therapy within 2 weeks prior to screening.
* Chemotherapy for malignancy within 3 months prior to study entry
* Hepatitis B Surface Antigen positive
* Hepatitis C viremia
* Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
* Required treatment with an agent contraindicated with either atorvastatin or PIs. More information on this criterion can be found in the protocol.
* Pregnant or breastfeeding