Chris Higgs

A phase Iv, double-blind, multicentre, randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot study to assess the feasibility of switching individuals receiving efavirenz with continuing central nervous system adverse events to etravirine

Background:Two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and efavirenz (EFV) is a recommended initial regimen for HIV-1. Most EFV-related central nervous system (CNS) toxicity resolves early though symptoms may persist; we studied switching to etravirine (ETR) in these individuals. Methods:A randomized, double-blind trial in patients with viral suppression but ongoing CNS adverse events after more than 12 weeks EFV. Patients received 2NRTI/EFV/ETR-placebo (delayed switch) or 2NRTI/ETR/EFV-placebo (immediate switch) for 12 weeks followed by 12-week open-label phase (2NRTI/ETR). Primary end-point was percentage with G2-4 CNS adverse events at 12 weeks. Results:Thirty-eight men; 20/18 were randomized to immediate switch/delayed switch; median CD4 was 444/498 cells/μl, respectively. Baseline CNS adverse events were similar. Nineteen immediate switch patients completed follow-up (one lost to follow-up) and 13 on delayed switch (two lost to follow-up, two withdrawn consent, one adverse event). Immediate switch G2-4 CNS adverse event: 90% at baseline, 60% at week 12 (P = 0.041). Delayed switch G2-4 CNS adverse event: 88.9% at baseline, 81.3% at week 12 (P = ns). Combined (both arms) percentage decline in G2-4 CNS adverse event after 12 weeks of ETR was significant for overall adverse events, insomnia, abnormal dreams and nervousness (P = 0.009, 0.016, 0.001, and 0.046, respectively). All participants on study maintained HIV-RNA below 50 and median week 24 CD4 was 593 and 607 cells/μl on immediate switch and delayed switch. Two participants experienced new G3-4 adverse events [delayed switch: G3 flatulence on EFV); immediate switch: G4 viral URTI on ETR (SAE)]. Conclusion:Switching EFV to ETR led to a significant reduction in overall G2-4 CNS adverse events, including insomnia, abnormal dreams and nervousness as individual adverse event. Lack of improvement for some events suggests other causative factors.

Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Antiretroviral Activity of the Potent, Specific Human Immunodeficiency Virus Protease Inhibitor Nelfinavir: Results of a Phase I/II Trial and Extended Follow-up in Patients Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

The safety, antiretroviral activity, and pharmacokinetic profile of nelfinavir, a potent and specific inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease, were assessed in a small open‐label phase I/II dose‐ranging study in protease inhibitor‐naive HIV‐positive men. A total of 22 patients with baseline plasma HIV RNA ≥ 20,000 copies/mL and CD4+ counts between 200 and 500 cells/mm3 were enrolled in the study. Of the 22 patients, 20 were evaluated for activity; 10 patients assigned to 771 mg/day base equivalent (300 mg three times daily) and 10 patients assigned to 1,026 mg/day base equivalent (600 mg twice daily) given monotherapy. A capsule formulation of nelfinavir was used. The initial study period was 28 days; patients showing a virologic response of 1 log10 reduction were eligible for enrollment in an extension phase and addition of nucleoside analogues. A maximally tolerated dose of nelfinavir was not established. A dose‐response relationship was observed for four (40%) patients in the 771‐mg group and six (60%) patients in the 1,026‐mg group experiencing a reduction from baseline in plasma HIV RNA of at least 1 log during the 28‐day study. Of these patients, five sustained the reduction in plasma HIV RNA beyond day 28 (2 patients receiving 771 mg/day and 3 patients receiving 1,026 mg/day). Median increases from baseline in CD4+ counts at day 28 were 216 cell/mm3 and 86 cell/mm3 in the 771‐mg and 1,026‐mg groups, respectively. After oral administration, median nelfinavir plasma concentrations on day 28 reached a maximum at 1 hour (2,966 ng/mL) in the 771‐mg group and at 3 hours (3,157 ng/mL) in the 1,026‐mg group. Data for 22 patients were included in the safety analysis; 12 patients (55%) reported at least one grade 2 or worse (moderate, severe, or very severe) adverse event. The most common grade 2 or worse adverse event was diarrhea, reported by two patients (20%) receiving 771 mg/day and seven patients (70%) receiving 1,026 mg/day; followed by nausea, flatulence, asthenia, and headache (each reported in 1 patient [10%] in the 771‐mg group) and dizziness (reported in 1 patient [10%] receiving 1,026 mg/day). In the small subgroup (n = 6) who continued taking nelfinavir for longer periods (between 8 and 15 months), virologic responses were sustained in the majority of patients with good tolerability. Nelfinavir is an active HIV‐protease inhibitor with favorable pharmacokinetics, good tolerability, and sustained antiviral effects. Results of this early phase I/II dose‐ranging study provided data for the safety and antiretroviral activity of nelfinavir and led to the selection of higher doses for phase II/III trials to further optimize virologic and immunologic responses.

Steady-State Pharmacokinetics of Abacavir in Plasma and Intracellular Carbovir Triphosphate following Administration of Abacavir at 600 Milligrams Once Daily and 300 Milligrams Twice Daily in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Subjects

ABSTRACT Abacavir (ABC) is administered either at 600 mg once daily (ABC 600 mg QD) or 300 mg twice daily (ABC 300 mg BID) in anti-human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) combination therapy. Although ABC plasma pharmacokinetics following each regimen has been well defined, no study has directly compared the regimens with respect to pharmacokinetics of ABCs active intracellular anabolite, carbovir-triphosphate (CBV-TP). In an open-label, two-period, crossover study, 34 HIV-infected male and female subjects stabilized on antiretroviral regimens containing either ABC 600 mg QD or ABC 300 mg BID received their usual doses on days −1 and 1 and then switched regimens for days 2 to 11. Serial blood samples collected on days 1 and 11 were assayed for plasma ABC and intracellular CBV-TP concentrations using validated high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental methods. Analysis of variance with a mixed-effect model was performed for treatment and gender comparisons. In 27 evaluable subjects, the regimens provided bioequivalent ABC daily areas under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC0-24) and comparable CBV-TP concentrations at the end of the dosing interval (Cτ). As expected, ABC QD resulted in 109% higher ABC maximum concentrations of drug in plasma (Cmax) than did ABC BID. ABC QD also resulted in 32% higher CBV-TP AUC0-24 and 99% higher CBV-TP Cmax than did ABC BID. Females had a 38% higher weight-adjusted ABC AUC0-24 and 81% higher weight-adjusted CBV-TP AUC0-24 than did males. Virologic suppression was maintained during regimen switch, and no tolerability differences between regimens were observed. In conclusion, this study showed that ABC 600 mg QD and ABC 300 mg BID regimens led to similar intracellular CBV-TP Cτ values, thus providing pharmacokinetic support for the interchangeability of these two regimens. Women had higher intracellular CBV-TP exposure than did men.

Plasma and intracellular pharmacokinetics of darunavir/ritonavir once daily and raltegravir once and twice daily in HIV-infected individuals.

ObjectivesTo investigate the pharmacokinetics of darunavir/ritonavir and raltegravir, in HIV-infected subjects, in both plasma and at the intracellular (IC) site of action. MethodsHIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy received raltegravir 400 mg twice daily for 21 days (period 1); darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg once daily was added for 14 days (period 2), and patients were randomized to continue raltegravir twice daily (group 1) or to switch to 800 mg once daily (group 2), then they all stopped raltegravir intake and continued darunavir/ritonavir once daily for 14 days (period 3). Drug concentrations in plasma and cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cell) were measured, and differences in geometric mean ratios (GMR) and 90% confidence intervals (CI) between period 2 versus period 3 and period 2 versus period 1 were assessed. ResultsTwenty-four patients completed the study. Group 1 GMR (90% CI) of darunavir area under the curve (AUC) with and without raltegravir was 1.24 (1.13 to 1.45) for plasma and 1.24 (1.07 to 1.73) for cells and for group 2 was 1.14 (1.07 to 1.24) and 1.03 (0.94 to 1.16). GMR (90% CI) of raltegravir AUC without and with darunavir/ritonavir (plasma and cells) for group 1 was 0.90 (0.73 to 1.44) and 1.02 (0.81 to 1.67) and for group 2 was 1.21 (1.03 to 1.77) and 1.27 (1.07 to 1.94). Geometric mean IC to plasma AUC ratios were 5.3 and 4.9 for darunavir in groups 1 and 2 when darunavir/ritonavir was given alone and 4.9 and 5.6 for raltegravir when given alone. These ratios were not altered by the coadministered drug. ConclusionsNo remarkable interactions between darunavir/ritonavir and raltegravir in plasma or cells were seen. Raltegravir IC concentrations are higher than previously reported; the difference being due to modified cell isolation procedures that reduced drug loss caused by washing.

Steady-State pharmacokinetics of saquinavir hard-gel/ritonavir/fosamprenavir in HIV-1-infected patients.

Background:In vitro synergy and complementary resistance profiles provide a strong rationale for combining fosamprenavir with saquinavir as part of a potent double-boosted protease inhibitor regimen. This study evaluated the steady-state pharmacokinetics of saquinavir 1000 mg twice daily (bid) and fosamprenavir 700 mg bid administered with 2 different doses of ritonavir (100 and 200 mg bid) in HIV-1–infected subjects. Methods:On day 1, 12-hour pharmacokinetic profiles for saquinavir/ritonavir (1000/100 mg bid) were obtained for 18 subjects. All subjects were receiving ongoing treatment with a saquinavir/ritonavir-containing regimen. Fosamprenavir 700 mg bid was then added to the regimen, and pharmacokinetic sampling was repeated for all 3 agents at day 11. The ritonavir daily dose was then increased to 200 mg bid, and a 3rd pharmacokinetic profile was obtained at day 22. Results:The coadministration of fosamprenavir 700 mg bid with saquinavir/ritonavir 1000/100 mg bid resulted in a statistically nonsignificant decrease in saquinavir concentrations (by 14, 9, and 24%, for saquinavir area under the concentration–time curve [AUC]0–12, Cmax, and Ctrough, respectively). This was compensated for by an increased ritonavir dose of 200 mg bid, which resulted in a statistically nonsignificant increase in saquinavir exposure compared with baseline. Amprenavir levels did not appear to be significantly influenced by coadministration of saquinavir with fosamprenavir. Fosamprenavir significantly reduced ritonavir exposure, but the increased ritonavir dose compensated for this interaction. Conclusions:Our findings showed that saquinavir/ritonavir/fosamprenavir was well tolerated over the study period. Saquinavir plasma concentrations were slightly lowered by the addition of fosamprenavir to the regimen. However, the addition of a further 100 mg ritonavir bid restored the small and insignificant decrease.

Pharmacokinetics of Once-Daily Darunavir-Ritonavir and Atazanavir-Ritonavir over 72 Hours following Drug Cessation

ABSTRACT The object of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of darunavir-ritonavir and atazanavir-ritonavir once-daily dosing over 72 h (h) following drug intake cessation. Volunteers received darunavir-ritonavir at 800 and 100 mg, respectively, once daily for 10 days, followed by a 7-day washout period, and atazanavir-ritonavir at 300 and 100 mg, respectively, once daily for 10 days. Full pharmacokinetic profiles were assessed for each phase for the 72 h following day 10. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined over 24 h and to the last measurable concentration by noncompartmental methods. Seventeen subjects completed the study. The geometric mean (GM) terminal elimination half-life to 72 h of darunavir was 6.48 h, which was lower than the 0- to 24-h half-life (10.70 h). The terminal elimination half-life of atazanavir was 6.74 h, which was lower than the 0- to 24-h half-life (13.72 h). All subjects but one had darunavir concentrations higher than the target of 550 ng/ml for protease-resistant HIV isolates (equivalent to 10 times the protein-binding-corrected 50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] for wild-type virus) at 24 h postdose, and 14 out of 17 had concentrations higher than the target at 30 h postdose (GM of 1,088 and 851 ng/ml). All subjects had atazanavir concentrations above the suggested minimum effective concentration of 150 ng/ml (equivalent to 10 times the protein-binding-corrected IC50 for wild-type virus) at 24 and 30 h postdose (GM of 693 and 392 ng/ml). Two of 17 and 5 of 17 subjects were above target at 48 h postdose while on darunavir-ritonavir and atazanavir-ritonavir. Ritonavir half-life to 72 h was 6.84 h with darunavir and 6.07 with atazanavir. This study investigated the pharmacokinetic forgiveness of two boosted protease inhibitors. Although the rates of decline of darunavir and atazanavir slightly increased as ritonavir concentrations declined, most individuals had concentrations 6 h after the end of the ideal dosing interval of 24 h which were above the cutoff used to define therapeutic concentrations.

Measuring human T cell responses in blood and gut samples using qualified methods suitable for evaluation of HIV vaccine candidates in clinical trials.

The next generation of candidate HIV vaccines include replicating vectors selected for tropism to mucosal sites, where an efficacious T cell response will be required to limit T cell replication and HIV associated CD4 T cell loss. To fully assess immunogenicity of such candidates, there is a need to develop robust quality controlled analysis of gut derived HIV specific CD8+ T-cell responses. Despite obvious challenges in obtaining sufficient amounts of tissue, the highly compartmentalised nature of the mucosal immune responses, requires the assessment of CD8 T cells isolated directly from local tissue before any conclusions regarding the induction of mucosal responses are made. Here we describe the optimisation and subsequent qualification of a qualitative and quantitative polychromatic flow cytometry assay to assess antigen specific CD8+ T cells isolated from the gut, using samples from HIV positive and negative volunteers. Internal quality controls monitored over time, combined with the use of quality gating and standard operating procedures were used to demonstrate the generation of robust and reliable data.

Plasma Tenofovir, Emtricitabine and Rilpivirine and Intracellular Tenofovir Diphosphate and Emtricitabine Triphosphate Pharmacokinetics Following Drug Intake Cessation

ABSTRACT Pharmacokinetic (PK) data describing a prolonged time course of antiretrovirals in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are important for understanding and managing late or missed doses and to assess the appropriateness of compounds for preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This study aimed to evaluate the PK of coformulated tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DF), emtricitabine, and rilpivirine in plasma and of the intracellular (IC) anabolites tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) and emtricitabine triphosphate (FTC-TP) in healthy volunteers up to 9 days after drug cessation. Individuals received daily tenofovir DF-emtricitabine-rilpivirine (245/200/25 mg) for 14 days. Drug intake was stopped, and serial sampling occurred prior to the final dose and up to 216 h (9 days) after stopping drug intake. Concentrations were quantified and PK parameters calculated. Eighteen volunteers completed the study. The terminal elimination plasma half-lives for tenofovir and emtricitabine over 216 h (geometric mean [90% confidence interval]) were higher than those seen over 0 to 24 h (for tenofovir, 31 h [27 to 40 h] versus 13.3 h [12.5 to 15.1 h]; for emtricitabine, 41 h [36 to 54 h] versus 6.4 h (5.9 to 7.6 h]). Model-predicted IC half-lives (0 to 168 h) were 116 h (TFV-DP) and 37 h (FTC-TP). The plasma rilpivirine concentration at 216 h was 4.5 ng/ml (4.2 to 6.2 ng/ml), and half-lives over 0 to 216 h and 0 to 24 h were 47 h (41 to 59 h) and 35 h (28 to 46 h), respectively. These data contribute to our understanding of drug behavior following treatment interruption; however, adherence to therapy should be promoted. Validated plasma and IC target concentrations are necessary to allow interpretation with respect to sustained virus suppression or HIV prevention. (The trial was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki [EudraCT 2012-002781-13].)

Once-daily atazanavir/cobicistat and darunavir/cobicistat exposure over 72 h post-dose in plasma, urine and saliva: contribution to drug pharmacokinetic knowledge

Background We investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK) of atazanavir/cobicistat and darunavir/cobicistat once daily over 72 h following drug intake cessation in plasma, saliva and urine. Methods Healthy volunteers received a fixed-dose combination of 300/150 mg of atazanavir/cobicistat once daily for 10 days, followed by a 10 day washout period and then a fixed-dose combination of 800/150 mg of darunavir/cobicistat once daily for 10 days. Full PK profiles were assessed for each phase for 72 h following day 10 and parameters determined to the last measurable concentration in plasma, saliva and urine by non-compartmental methods. Results Sixteen subjects completed the study. Geometric mean (GM) terminal elimination half-life values to 72 h of atazanavir and darunavir were 6.77 and 6.35 h, respectively. All subjects had atazanavir concentrations above the suggested minimum effective concentration of 150 ng/mL 24 h post-dose and 14/16 subjects had concentrations higher than this target at 30 h post-dose (GM of 759 and 407 ng/mL, respectively). Thirteen out of 16 subjects had darunavir concentrations higher than the target of 550 ng/mL at 24 h post-dose and 5/16 subjects had concentrations higher than the target at 30 h post-dose (GM of 1033 and 382 ng/mL, respectively). Cobicistat half-life to 72 h was 4.21 h with atazanavir and 3.62 h with darunavir. GM values 24 h after the observed dose ( C 24 ) for atazanavir and darunavir were 141 and 43 ng/mL, respectively, in saliva and 24857 and 11878 ng/mL, respectively, in urine. Concentration decay in saliva/urine mirrored plasma concentrations for both drugs. Conclusions Different concentration decay patterns were seen for atazanavir and darunavir, which may be partially explained by cobicistat half-life (longer with atazanavir than darunavir). For the first time, we also measured drug PK forgiveness in saliva and urine, which represent easier markers of adherence.