Conditions: HIV-1 Infection
Keywords: CD4 Clinical trial Dose escalation assessment lenalidomide Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) HIV Immunomodulatory Infection Lenalidomide Phase I/II Vaccine Vacc-4x
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 36
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
During the course of HIV infection the number of CD4 cells decreases, resulting in a reduced immunological response and ultimately immune deficiency. Vacc-4x is a peptide-based HIV immunotherapy and the primary objective is to strengthen the immune system's response to HIV p24. By adding Lenalidomide, an immunomodulatory agent, as a supporting drug, it is anticipated that the effect of Vacc-4x might be enhanced.

Detailed description:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects the CD4 subset of T-cells that are critical for initiating immune responses to infection. The level of CD4 cells in the blood is a marker of a patient's immunological status. The number of CD4 cells decreases in the course of the HIV infection and results in a reduced immunological response and eventually immune deficiency.

Vacc-4x is one of the few peptide-based therapeutic vaccines tested, and consists of four, slightly modified HIV Gag p24 consensus peptides. Vacc-4x was first tested by intradermal injections using GM-CSF as adjuvant. A recent multinational placebo-controlled study found improvement of vaccine-specific T cell immunity and decrease in viral loads (presented at the AIDS vaccine 2011 conference, Bangkok).

Lenalidomide (CC-5013) is a substance in the class of immunomodulatory agents. The lenalidomide mechanism of action includes anti-neoplastic, pro-erythropoietic, and immunomodulatory properties. Lenalidomide inhibits proliferation of certain hematopoietic tumor cells, enhances T cell- and Natural Killer (NK) cell-mediated immunity and increases the number of NK T cells.

The anti-HIV p24 immune response resulting from Vacc-4x immunization could in combination with ART potentially improve immune reconstitution in patients who have not fully regained a healthy CD4 level (\> 600 x106/L). Adding the immunomodulatory agent Lenalidomide (CC-5013) to Vacc-4x immunization could enhance the immune response to Vacc-4x and further strengthen immune reconstitution.

Arms:
arm 1: All patient receive intradermal Vacc-4x (1.2 mg) given with Leukine® (rhu-GM-CSF) (0.06 mg) and oral lenalidomide in a dose escalation (3+3) design.

Dose level -1: 2.5 mg Lenalidomide (CC-5013) in the event Dose level 1 is non tolerated dose (NTD) Dose level 1(start): 5 mg Lenalidomide (CC-5013) Dose level 2: 10 mg Lenalidomide (CC-5013) Dose level 3: 25 mg Lenalidomide (CC-5013) arm 2: Intradermal Vacc-4x (1.2 mg) given with Leukine® (rhu-GM-CSF) (0.06 mg) and oral lenalidomide for 6 immunizations (visit 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) \& lenalidomide (dose determined in Part A) two days prior to and at the day of immunization. arm 3: Intradermal Vacc-4x (1.2 mg) given with Leukine® (rhu-GM-CSF) (0.06 mg) and oral lenalidomide for 6 immunizations (visit 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) \& lenalidomide placebo two days prior to and at the day of immunization.

Interventions: intervention 1: Lenalidomide intervention 2: Lenalidomide placebo intervention 3: Vacc-4X intervention 4: rhuGM-CSF
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: In Part A a dose escalation design is used (2,5; 5; 10; 25 mg). Part B will use the dose confirmed by Part A intervention 2: Capsules are identical to the active Lenalidomide capsules used. intervention 3: Vacc-4x is a peptide-based HIV immunotherapy administered intradermally. Vacc-4x peptides are reconstituted in sterile water. intervention 4: Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor as a local adjuvant

Protocol document: