Effect of Addition of Raltegravir (MK-0518) to PI- or NNRTI-Based ART Regimens in HIV Infected Subjects With Undetectable Viral Load

HIV Infections Clinical Trial

Official title: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Pilot Study to Measure the Effect of Treatment Intensification With a Potent Integrase Inhibitor, Raltegravir (MK-0518), on the Level of Persistent Plasma Viremia Below 50 Copies/ml in Subjects on Protease Inhibitor- or Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor-Containing Regimens

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Raltegravir (MK-0518) is an HIV-1 integrase inhibitor with potent in vitro activity against HIV-1 strains including those resistant to currently available antiretroviral drugs. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of raltegravir in further reducing viral load in HIV infected patients that have already achieved viral suppression below the level of detection of standard viral load assays when added to antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Clinical Trial Description

Although ART has reduced the morbidity and mortality from HIV-1 infection, most individuals who stop ART experience rapid viral rebound. Effective ART can suppress viral load to less than 50 copies/ml; however, current treatment regimens cannot completely eliminate the infection. The primary purpose of this study was to assess the ability of the HIV-1 integrase inhibitor, raltegravir, to reduce viral load when added to ART regimens of HIV-1 infected patients who have achieved viral suppression to less than 50 copies/ml.

The study lasted 24 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two arms. Participants in Arm A were administered raltegravir in addition to their usual ART regimen from study entry until Week 12. At Week 12, subjects halted raltegravir use and received a placebo until Week 24. Participants in Arm B were administered the placebo in addition to their usual ART regimen from study entry until Week 12. At Week 12, subjects halted the placebo and received raltegravir until Week 24. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) single copy assay (SCA) capable of detecting 1 copy of HIV RNA was used to assay viral load. The cross-over design allowed assessment of the effect of intensification with raltegravir between the two arms at Weeks 10/12 and every participant enrolled in the study receiving raltegravir for 12 weeks. Primary analysis focused on weeks 10/12 measurement and with no washout period, typical analysis of cross-over design was not intended.

All participants had scheduled visits at Weeks 0, 2, 4, 10, 12, 14, 16, 22, and 24. A targeted physical exam occurred at all visits. Blood and urine collection occurred at selected visits. A medical/medication assessment occurred at trial entry. Drug dispensing and an adherence questionnaire occurred at some visits. A pregnancy test occurred at select visits. Participants' background ART medications were not provided by the study. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• HIV Infections

• NCT number: NCT00515827
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• Start date: November 2007
• Completion date: November 2008