Clinical trial NCT00013520: Comparison of Three Different Initial Treatments Without Protease Inhibitors for HIV Infection
Official title: Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind Comparison of Three Protease Inhibitor-Sparing Regimens for the Initial Treatment of HIV Infection
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: PHASE3
Conditions: HIV Infections
Keywords: HIV-1
Didanosine
Drug Therapy, Combination
Zidovudine
Nevirapine
Stavudine
Lamivudine
RNA, Viral
Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
Anti-HIV Agents
Viral Load
Combivir
BMS 232632
Efavirenz
Treatment Naive
Lead sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Sponsor class: NIH
First posted: 2001-08-31
Enrollment: 1125
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 16
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of 3 anti-HIV combination treatments that do not use protease inhibitors (PIs).

The current rule for starting treatment of HIV infection is to combine members from different classes of anti-HIV drugs, such as 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and either a PI or a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). However, these combinations can be complicated and difficult to take, can cause a number of side effects, and may become ineffective. Combinations that are simpler, better tolerated, and more effective are needed. Because PIs can cause long-term side effects and because HIV can become resistant to many of them at the same time, anti-HIV combination treatments that do not use PIs are being tested.

Detailed description: Current treatment guidelines recommend combination regimens of 2 nucleoside analogues with either a PI or an NNRTI for the initial treatment of HIV infection. However, the efficacy of current regimens is limited by their complexity, pharmacokinetic characteristics, short- and long-term side effects, and drug-resistance profiles at the time of virologic failure. Consequently, the identification of new initial regimens that are simpler, better tolerated, preserve treatment options in the event of failure, and improve antiretroviral potency is needed. In addition, recent concern over the long-term toxicities of PIs and the extensive cross-resistance among the available PIs have led to the testing of PI-sparing regimens.

Participants will be in this study for a minimum of 120 weeks and a maximum of approximately 4 years. In Step 1, patients are randomly selected to receive 1 of 3 blinded treatment regimens: abacavir (ABC)/lamivudine (3TC)/zidovudine (ZDV)/efavirenz (EFV), ABC/3TC/ZDV, or 3TC/ZDV/EFV. Patients with confirmed virologic failure on Step 1 and two successive plasma HIV RNA levels of 10,000 copies/ml or greater must register to Step 2. Patients with confirmed virologic failure on Step 1 and whose plasma HIV RNA is under 10,000 copies/ml may remain on Step 1 or register to Step 2. \[AS PER AMENDMENT 04/11/03: Discontinuation of Arm B was recommended. Consequently, Arms A and C were unblinded to EFV but not to ABC. A number of options are available for patients originally randomized to Arm B.\]

Step 2 is open label. Regimens include 2 or 3 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) in combination with EFV, atazanavir (ATZ), ritonavir-boosted ATZ, or tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Patients on Arm B treatment who have an HIV RNA level less than 200 copies/ml within the past 8 weeks are eligible for randomization to open-label intensification of Arm B on Step 3.

Step 3 regimens include ABC/3TC/ZDV plus either EFV or TDF. Patients with evidence of treatment-limiting toxicity to Step 3 study drugs have the option of substituting d4T for ZDV, ddI for ABC or TDF, and/or NVP for EFV. Patients with confirmed virologic failure on Step 3 and whose plasma HIV RNA is less than 10,000 copies/ml may either remain on Step 3 or register to Step 4. Patients with two successive plasma HIV RNA levels of 10,000 copies/ml or greater on Step 3 must register to Step 4.

Step 4 is open label. Regimens include two or three NRTIs plus EFV, ATV, ritonavir-boosted ATV, or TDF. Clinical assessments and laboratory evaluations are done at entry, at Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and then every 8 weeks thereafter for the duration of the study. Evaluations are also required when a protocol-allowed drug substitution is made.

In addition, 3 substudies are being conducted: a neurology substudy for efavirenz, a pharmacology substudy for atazanavir, and a viral dynamics substudy.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria

Patients may be eligible for this study if they:

* Are HIV-positive.
* Have a viral load of at least 400 copies/ml within 90 days prior to study entry.
* Are at least 16 years old.
* Weigh at least 40 kg.
* Have a negative pregnancy test within 48 hours before starting study drugs, if female and able to have children.
* Agree to use 2 effective methods of birth control while taking, and for 3 months after stopping, the study medications.
* Provide written consent of a parent or guardian, if under 18 years of age.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients will not be eligible for this study if they:

* Have taken anti-HIV drugs in the past.
* Are allergic to any of the study drugs or ingredients.
* Are pregnant or breast-feeding.
* Have taken any of the following drugs within 14 days prior to study entry: amiodarone, astemizole, bepridil, cisapride, ergot or ergot derivatives, systemic itraconazole, systemic ketoconazole, midazolam, propoxyphene, quinidine, rifampin, terfenadine, thalidomide, triazolam, or St. John's wort.
* Have taken drugs that influence the immune system, HIV or other vaccines, or investigational drugs within 30 days prior to study entry. Prednisone at a dose of 10 mg or less daily is allowed.
* Have taken drugs or been hospitalized for serious infections or medical illnesses within 14 days prior to study entry.
* Have growths or tumors that require drug therapy.
* Have Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia that is not clinically stable and whose treatment is not completed at least 7 days prior to study entry.
* Have infections or medical illnesses that are not under control or that have not received complete treatment before study entry.
* Have any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would prevent them from properly participating in the study.
* Abuse drugs or alcohol.
* This study has been updated to exclude patients who are receiving systemic itraconazole and rifabutin.

Primary outcomes:
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Birmingham
country: United States
facility: Alabama Therapeutics CRS
state: Alabama
city: Los Angeles
country: United States
facility: USC CRS
state: California
city: Los Angeles
country: United States
facility: UCLA CARE Center CRS
state: California
city: Palo Alto
country: United States
facility: Stanford CRS
state: California
city: Sacramento
country: United States
facility: UC Davis Medical Center
state: California
city: Sacramento
country: United States
facility: Univ. of California Davis Med. Ctr., ACTU
state: California
city: San Diego
country: United States
facility: Ucsd, Avrc Crs
state: California
city: San Francisco
country: United States
facility: Ucsf Aids Crs
state: California
city: San Jose
country: United States
facility: Santa Clara Valley Med. Ctr.
state: California
city: San Mateo
country: United States
facility: San Mateo County AIDS Program
state: California
city: San Mateo
country: United States
facility: Willow Clinic A0507 CRS
state: California
city: Torrance
country: United States
facility: Harbor-UCLA Med. Ctr. CRS
state: California
city: Aurora
country: United States
facility: University of Colorado Hospital CRS
state: Colorado
city: Washington
country: United States
facility: Georgetown University CRS (GU CRS)
state: District of Columbia
city: Miami
country: United States
facility: Univ. of Miami AIDS CRS
state: Florida
city: Atlanta
country: United States
facility: The Ponce de Leon Ctr. CRS
state: Georgia
city: Honolulu
country: United States
facility: Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa, Leahi Hosp.
state: Hawaii
city: Chicago
country: United States
facility: Northwestern University CRS
state: Illinois
city: Chicago
country: United States
facility: Rush Univ. Med. Ctr. ACTG CRS
state: Illinois
city: Chicago
country: United States
facility: Cook County Hosp. CORE Ctr.
state: Illinois
city: Indianapolis
country: United States
facility: Indiana Univ. School of Medicine, Infectious Disease Research Clinic
state: Indiana
city: Indianapolis
country: United States
facility: Indiana Univ. School of Medicine, Wishard Memorial
state: Indiana
city: Indianapolis
country: United States
facility: Methodist Hosp. of Indiana
state: Indiana
city: Iowa City
country: United States
facility: Univ. of Iowa Healthcare, Div. of Infectious Diseases
state: Iowa
city: Baltimore
country: United States
facility: Johns Hopkins Adult AIDS CRS
state: Maryland
city: Boston
country: United States
facility: Massachusetts General Hospital ACTG CRS
state: Massachusetts
city: Boston
country: United States
facility: Bmc Actg Crs
state: Massachusetts
city: Boston
country: United States
facility: Beth Israel Deaconess Med. Ctr., ACTG CRS
state: Massachusetts
city: Boston
country: United States
facility: Brigham and Women's Hosp. ACTG CRS
state: Massachusetts
city: Fall River
country: United States
facility: SSTAR, Family Healthcare Ctr.
state: Massachusetts
city: Minneapolis
country: United States
facility: University of Minnesota, ACTU
state: Minnesota
city: St. Louis
country: United States
facility: St. Louis ConnectCare, Infectious Diseases Clinic
state: Missouri
city: St. Louis
country: United States
facility: Washington U CRS
state: Missouri
city: Omaha
country: United States
facility: Univ. of Nebraska Med. Ctr., Durham Outpatient Ctr.
state: Nebraska
city: Buffalo
country: United States
facility: SUNY - Buffalo, Erie County Medical Ctr.
state: New York
city: New York
country: United States
facility: Beth Israel Med. Ctr., ACTU
state: New York
city: New York
country: United States
facility: Weill Med. College of Cornell Univ., The Cornell CTU
state: New York
city: New York
country: United States
facility: NY Univ. HIV/AIDS CRS
state: New York
city: New York
country: United States
facility: Cornell CRS
state: New York
city: New York
country: United States
facility: Columbia Univ., HIV Prevention and Treatment Medical Ctr.
state: New York
city: New York
country: United States
facility: HIV Prevention & Treatment CRS
state: New York
city: Rochester
country: United States
facility: Univ. of Rochester ACTG CRS
state: New York
city: Rochester
country: United States
facility: AIDS Care CRS
state: New York
city: Rochester
country: United States
facility: McCree McCuller Wellness Ctr. at the Connection, Infectious Disease Unit
state: New York
city: Chapel Hill
country: United States
facility: Unc Aids Crs
state: North Carolina
city: Durham
country: United States
facility: Duke Univ. Med. Ctr. Adult CRS
state: North Carolina
city: Greensboro
country: United States
facility: Regional Center for Infectious Disease, Wendover Medical Center CRS
state: North Carolina
city: Cincinnati
country: United States
facility: Univ. of Cincinnati CRS
state: Ohio
city: Cleveland
country: United States
facility: Case CRS
state: Ohio
city: Cleveland
country: United States
facility: MetroHealth CRS
state: Ohio
city: Columbus
country: United States
facility: The Ohio State Univ. AIDS CRS
state: Ohio
city: Philadelphia
country: United States
facility: Philadelphia Veterans Admin. Med. Ctr. A6205 CRS
state: Pennsylvania
city: Philadelphia
country: United States
facility: Univ. of Pennsylvania Health System, Presbyterian Med. Ctr.
state: Pennsylvania
city: Philadelphia
country: United States
facility: Hosp. of the Univ. of Pennsylvania CRS
state: Pennsylvania
city: Pittsburgh
country: United States
facility: Pitt CRS
state: Pennsylvania
city: Providence
country: United States
facility: The Miriam Hosp. ACTG CRS
state: Rhode Island
city: Providence
country: United States
facility: Rhode Island Hosp.
state: Rhode Island
city: Nashville
country: United States
facility: Vanderbilt Therapeutics CRS
state: Tennessee
city: Seattle
country: United States
facility: University of Washington AIDS CRS
state: Washington
city: San Juan
country: Puerto Rico
facility: Puerto Rico-AIDS CRS
Study officials:
name: Roy Gulick, MD
role: STUDY_CHAIR
name: Cecilia Shikuma, MD
role: STUDY_CHAIR
References:
citation: H Ribaudo, D Clifford, R Gulick, C Shikuma, K Klingman, S Snyder, and E Acosta. Relationships between Efavirenz Pharmacokinetics, Side Effects, Drug Discontinuation, Virologic Response, and Race: Results from ACTG A5095/A5097s. CROI 2004. Abstract 132.
citation: Feinberg J. Meeting notes from the 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment. Trizivir vs. efavirenz: results from ACTG 5095. AIDS Clin Care. 2003 Sep;15(9):78-9.
citation: Gulick RM, Ribaudo HJ, Shikuma CM, Lustgarten S, Squires KE, Meyer WA 3rd, Acosta EP, Schackman BR, Pilcher CD, Murphy RL, Maher WE, Witt MD, Reichman RC, Snyder S, Klingman KL, Kuritzkes DR; AIDS Clinical Trials Group Study A5095 Team. Triple-nucleoside regimens versus efavirenz-containing regimens for the initial treatment of HIV-1 infection. N Engl J Med. 2004 Apr 29;350(18):1850-61. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa031772.
citation: Clifford DB, Evans S, Yang Y, Acosta EP, Goodkin K, Tashima K, Simpson D, Dorfman D, Ribaudo H, Gulick RM. Impact of efavirenz on neuropsychological performance and symptoms in HIV-infected individuals. Ann Intern Med. 2005 Nov 15;143(10):714-21. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-143-10-200511150-00008.
citation: Gulick RM, Ribaudo HJ, Shikuma CM, Lalama C, Schackman BR, Meyer WA 3rd, Acosta EP, Schouten J, Squires KE, Pilcher CD, Murphy RL, Koletar SL, Carlson M, Reichman RC, Bastow B, Klingman KL, Kuritzkes DR; AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5095 Study Team. Three- vs four-drug antiretroviral regimens for the initial treatment of HIV-1 infection: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2006 Aug 16;296(7):769-81. doi: 10.1001/jama.296.7.769.
citation: Ribaudo HJ, Kuritzkes DR, Schackman BR, Acosta EP, Shikuma CM, Gulick RM. Design issues in initial HIV-treatment trials: focus on ACTG A5095. Antivir Ther. 2006;11(6):751-60.
citation: Kuritzkes DR, Ribaudo HJ, Squires KE, Koletar SL, Santana J, Riddler SA, Reichman R, Shikuma C, Meyer WA 3rd, Klingman KL, Gulick RM; ACTG A5166s Protocol Team. Plasma HIV-1 RNA dynamics in antiretroviral-naive subjects receiving either triple-nucleoside or efavirenz-containing regimens: ACTG A5166s. J Infect Dis. 2007 Apr 15;195(8):1169-76. doi: 10.1086/512619. Epub 2007 Mar 6.
citation: Schackman BR, Ribaudo HJ, Krambrink A, Hughes V, Kuritzkes DR, Gulick RM. Racial differences in virologic failure associated with adherence and quality of life on efavirenz-containing regimens for initial HIV therapy: results of ACTG A5095. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2007 Dec 15;46(5):547-54. doi: 10.1097/qai.0b013e31815ac499.
citation: Paredes R, Lalama CM, Ribaudo HJ, Schackman BR, Shikuma C, Giguel F, Meyer WA 3rd, Johnson VA, Fiscus SA, D'Aquila RT, Gulick RM, Kuritzkes DR; AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5095 Study Team. Pre-existing minority drug-resistant HIV-1 variants, adherence, and risk of antiretroviral treatment failure. J Infect Dis. 2010 Mar;201(5):662-71. doi: 10.1086/650543.
citation: Li B, Veturi Y, Verma A, Bradford Y, Daar ES, Gulick RM, Riddler SA, Robbins GK, Lennox JL, Haas DW, Ritchie MD. Tissue specificity-aware TWAS (TSA-TWAS) framework identifies novel associations with metabolic, immunologic, and virologic traits in HIV-positive adults. PLoS Genet. 2021 Apr 26;17(4):e1009464. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009464. eCollection 2021 Apr.
citation: Leonard MA, Cindi Z, Bradford Y, Bourgi K, Koethe J, Turner M, Norwood J, Woodward B, Erdem H, Basham R, Baker P, Rebeiro PF, Sterling TR, Hulgan T, Daar ES, Gulick R, Riddler SA, Sinxadi P, Ritchie MD, Haas DW. Efavirenz Pharmacogenetics and Weight Gain Following Switch to Integrase Inhibitor-Containing Regimens. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Oct 5;73(7):e2153-e2163. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1219.
citation: Mollan KR, Smurzynski M, Eron JJ, Daar ES, Campbell TB, Sax PE, Gulick RM, Na L, O'Keefe L, Robertson KR, Tierney C. Association between efavirenz as initial therapy for HIV-1 infection and increased risk for suicidal ideation or attempted or completed suicide: an analysis of trial data. Ann Intern Med. 2014 Jul 1;161(1):1-10. doi: 10.7326/M14-0293.
citation: Lok JJ, Hunt PW, Collier AC, Benson CA, Witt MD, Luque AE, Deeks SG, Bosch RJ. The impact of age on the prognostic capacity of CD8+ T-cell activation during suppressive antiretroviral therapy. AIDS. 2013 Aug 24;27(13):2101-10. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32836191b1.
citation: Schouten JT, Krambrink A, Ribaudo HJ, Kmack A, Webb N, Shikuma C, Kuritzkes DR, Gulick RM. Substitution of nevirapine because of efavirenz toxicity in AIDS clinical trials group A5095. Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Mar 1;50(5):787-91. doi: 10.1086/650539.