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Dive into the research topics where Evgenia Aga is active.

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Featured researches published by Evgenia Aga.


Blood | 2009

IL-7 administration drives T cell-cycle entry and expansion in HIV-1 infection.

Irini Sereti; Richard M. Dunham; John Spritzler; Evgenia Aga; Michael A. Proschan; Kathy Medvik; Catherine A. Battaglia; Alan Landay; Savita Pahwa; Margaret A. Fischl; David M. Asmuth; Allan R. Tenorio; John D. Altman; Lawrence Fox; Susan Moir; Angela Malaspina; Michel Morre; Renaud Buffet; Guido Silvestri; Michael M. Lederman

Interleukin 7 (IL-7) is a common gamma chain receptor cytokine implicated in thymopoiesis and in peripheral expansion and survival of T lymphocytes. The safety and activity of recombinant human IL-7 (rhIL-7) administration were therefore examined in HIV-infected persons. In this prospective randomized placebo-controlled study, a single subcutaneous dose of rhIL-7 was well tolerated with biologic activity demonstrable at 3 microg/kg and a maximum tolerated dose of 30 microg/kg. Injection site reactions and transient elevations of liver function tests were the most notable side effects. Transient increases in plasma HIV-RNA levels were observed in 6 of 11 IL-7-treated patients. Recombinant hIL-7 induced CD4 and CD8 T cells to enter cell cycle; cell-cycle entry was also confirmed in antigen-specific CD8 T cells. Administration of rhIL-7 led to transient down-regulation of the IL-7 receptor alpha chain (CD127) in both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Single-dose rhIL-7 increased the numbers of circulating CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, predominantly of central memory phenotype. The frequency of CD4(+) T cells with a regulatory T-cell phenotype (CD25(high) CD127(low)) did not change after rhIL-7 administration. Thus, rhIL-7 has a biologic and toxicity profile suggesting a potential for therapeutic trials in HIV infection and other settings of lymphopenia. This clinical trial has been registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov under NCT0099671.


Clinical Infectious Diseases | 2014

HIV-1 DNA Decay Dynamics in Blood During More Than a Decade of Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy

Guillaume Besson; Christina M. Lalama; Ronald J. Bosch; Rajesh T. Gandhi; Margaret A. Bedison; Evgenia Aga; Sharon A. Riddler; Deborah McMahon; Feiyu Hong; John W. Mellors

BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) DNA dynamics during long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) are not defined. METHODS Blood mononuclear cells obtained during 7-12 years of effective ART were assayed for total HIV-1 DNA and 2-long terminal repeat (LTR) circles by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Slopes of HIV-1 DNA were estimated by participant-specific linear regressions. Plasma was assayed for residual viremia (HIV-1 RNA) by qPCR. RESULTS Thirty participants were studied. HIV-1 DNA decreased significantly from years 0-1 and 1-4 of ART with median decay slopes of -0.86 (interquartile range, -1.05, -0.59) and -0.11 (-0.17, -0.06) log10(copies/10(6) CD4+ T-cells)/year, respectively (P < .001). Decay was not significant for years 4-7 (-0.02 [-0.06, 0.02]; P = .09) or after year 7 of ART (-0.006 [-0.030, 0.015]; P = .17). All participants had detectable HIV-1 DNA after 10 years (median 439 copies/10(6) CD4+ T-cells; range: 7-2074). Pre-ART HIV-1 DNA levels were positively associated with pre-ART HIV-1 RNA levels (Spearman = 0.71, P < .001) and with HIV-1 DNA at years 4, 7, and 10 on ART (Spearman ≥ 0.75, P < .001). No associations were found (P ≥ .25) between HIV-1 DNA slopes or levels and % activated CD8+ T-cells (average during years 1-4) or residual viremia (n = 18). 2-LTR circles were detected pre-ART in 20/29 and in 8/30 participants at last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Decay of HIV-1 DNA in blood is rapid in the first year after ART initiation (86% decline), slows during years 1-4 (23% decline/year), and subsequently plateaus. HIV-1 DNA decay is not associated with the levels of CD8+ T-cell activation or persistent viremia. The determinants of stable HIV-1 DNA persistence require further elucidation. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT00001137.


The Journal of Infectious Diseases | 2010

No evidence for decay of the latent reservoir in HIV-1-infected patients receiving intensive enfuvirtide-containing antiretroviral therapy.

Rajesh T. Gandhi; Ronald J. Bosch; Evgenia Aga; Mary Albrecht; Lisa M. Demeter; Carrie Dykes; Barbara Bastow; Michael F. Para; Jun Lai; Robert F. Siliciano; Janet D. Siliciano; Joseph J. Eron

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) persists in a latent reservoir of infected resting memory CD4 cells in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. We assessed whether multitarget therapy with enfuvirtide, 2 reverse-transcriptase inhibitors, and a ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor leads to decay of this reservoir. Nineteen treatment-naive patients initiated this regimen; 9 experienced virologic suppression and continued enfuvirtide-containing therapy for at least 48 weeks. In enfuvirtide-treated patients with virological suppression, there was no decay of the latent reservoir (95% confidence interval for half-life, 11 months to infinity). The stability of the latent reservoir despite intensive therapy suggests that new strategies are needed to eradicate HIV-1 from this reservoir. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00051831 .).


AIDS | 2015

The size of the expressed HIV reservoir predicts timing of viral rebound after treatment interruption.

Jonathan Z. Li; Behzad Etemad; Hayat Ahmed; Evgenia Aga; Ronald J. Bosch; John W. Mellors; Daniel R. Kuritzkes; Michael M. Lederman; Michael F. Para; Rajesh T. Gandhi

Objectives:Therapies to achieve sustained antiretroviral therapy-free HIV remission will require validation in analytic treatment interruption (ATI) trials. Identifying biomarkers that predict time to viral rebound could accelerate the development of such therapeutics. Design:A pooled analysis of participants from six AIDS Clinical Trials Group ATI studies to identify predictors of viral rebound. Methods:Cell-associated DNA (CA-DNA) and CA-RNA were quantified in pre-ATI peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples, and residual plasma viremia was measured using the single-copy assay. Results:Participants who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) during acute/early HIV infection and those on a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-containing regimen had significantly delayed viral rebound. Participants who initiated ART during acute/early infection had lower levels of pre-ATI CA-RNA (acute/early vs. chronic-treated: median <92 vs. 156 HIV-1 RNA copies/106 CD4+ cells, P < 0.01). Higher pre-ATI CA-RNA levels were significantly associated with shorter time to viral rebound (⩽4 vs. 5–8 vs. >8 weeks: median 182 vs. 107 vs. <92 HIV-1 RNA copies/106 CD4+ cells, Kruskal–Wallis P < 0.01). The proportion of participants with detectable plasma residual viremia prior to ATI was significantly higher among those with shorter time to viral rebound. Conclusion:Higher levels of HIV expression while on ART are associated with shorter time to HIV rebound after treatment interruption. Quantification of the active HIV reservoir may provide a biomarker of efficacy for therapies that aim to achieve ART-free HIV remission.


The Journal of Infectious Diseases | 2011

Antiretroviral Drug Resistance in HIV-1–Infected Patients Experiencing Persistent Low-Level Viremia During First-Line Therapy

Babafemi Taiwo; Sébastien Gallien; Evgenia Aga; Heather J. Ribaudo; Richard Haubrich; Daniel R. Kuritzkes; Joseph J. Eron

Population sequencing was performed for persons identified with persistent low-level viremia in 2 clinical trials. Persistent low-level viremia (defined as plasma HIV-1 RNA level >50 and <1000 copies/mL in at least 2 determinations over a 24-week period, after at least 24 weeks of antiretroviral therapy) was observed in 65 (5.6%) of 1158 patients at risk. New resistance mutations were detected during persistent low-level viremia in 37% of the 54 evaluable cases. The most common mutations were M184I/V (14 cases), K103N (9), and M230L (3). Detection of new mutations was associated with higher HIV-1 RNA levels during persistent low-level viremia.


The Journal of Infectious Diseases | 2006

A Randomized, Partially Blinded Phase 2 Trial of Antiretroviral Therapy, HIV‐Specific Immunizations, and Interleukin‐2 Cycles to Promote Efficient Control of Viral Replication (ACTG A5024)

J. Michael Kilby; R. Pat Bucy; Donna Mildvan; Margaret A. Fischl; Jorge Santana-Bagur; Jeff rey L Lennox; Christopher D. Pilcher; Andrew R. Zolopa; Jody Lawrence; Richard B. Pollard; Raphaelle El Habib; David Sahner; Lawrence Fox; Evgenia Aga; Ronald J. Bosch; Ronald T. Mitsuyasu

Strategies to limit life-long dependence on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are needed. We randomized 81 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects to 4 interventional arms involving continued ART plus ALVAC vCP1452 (or placebo) with or without interleukin (IL)-2 infusions. Viral load rebound 12 weeks after ART interruption was then analyzed to assess immune control. Fifty-two subjects reached the study end point. ALVAC recipients had 0.5 log(10) lower virologic rebounds (P=.033). IL-2 plus vaccine boosted CD4(+) T cell counts (P<.001) but did not diminish viral rebound. Significant changes were not detected for HIV-specific lymphoproliferative responses in any arm. This exploratory protocol provides useful clinical data for future therapeutic immunization trial design.


AIDS | 2009

Antiretroviral therapy in acute and recent HIV infection: a prospective multicenter stratified trial of intentionally interrupted treatment.

Paul A. Volberding; Lisa M. Demeter; Ronald J. Bosch; Evgenia Aga; Carla Pettinelli; Martin S. Hirsch; Mary A. Vogler; Ana Martinez; Susan J. Little; Elizabeth Connick

Background:Antiretroviral therapy in early HIV infection may enhance outcome and viral control may be better in acute versus recent infection 24 weeks after treatment interruption. Methods:A prospective trial of treatment stratified by acute versus recent HIV-1 infection. If HIV viral load <50 copies/ml after at least 52 weeks, treatment was interrupted. If viremia rebounded, treatment and interruption were repeated. The primary endpoint was maintaining viral load less than 5000 copies/ml for 24 weeks following treatment interruption. Results:Of the 121 patients enrolled at 15 sites, ninety-five percent were men, median age was 34 years; 69% were white. Median viral load was higher in acute HIV-1 infection (210 000 copies/ml) than recent HIV-1 infection (43 000 copies/ml). The 73 primary endpoint patients (28 acute HIV-1 infection, 45 recent HIV-1 infection) had significantly higher baseline CD4+ T-cell counts (P = 0.044) and lower viral load (P = 0.016). The primary endpoint was achieved in 29 (40%) of the 73 and in 24% of the 121 enrolled overall. There was no significant outcome difference (P = 0.81) between the acute HIV-1 infection [43%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 24–63%] and recent HIV-1 infection (38%, 95% CI 24–53%) groups. Differences after longer follow-up can not be ascertained by this trial. Baseline viral load less than 100 000/ml 22/46 (48%) compared with more than 100 000/ml, 7/27 (26%) and higher baseline CD4+ immune activation predicted success. Conclusion:Forty percent of patients treated during acute HIV-1 infection or recent HIV-1 infection sustained a viral load less than 5000 copies/ml after 24 weeks of treatment interruption.


Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes | 2003

A study of the immunology, virology, and safety of prednisone in HIV-1-infected subjects with CD4 cell counts of 200 to 700 mm(-3).

Robert S. Wallis; Robert C. Kalayjian; Jeffrey M. Jacobson; Lawrence Fox; Lynette Purdue; Cecilia Shikuma; Richard Arakaki; Stuart W. Snyder; Robert W. Coombs; Ronald J. Bosch; John Spritzler; Miriam Chernoff; Evgenia Aga; Laurie S. Myers; Barbara Schock; Michael M. Lederman

Adult Clinical Trials Group Study 349 examined the immunology, virology, and safety of 40 mg/d prednisone as an adjunct to antiretroviral therapy in 24 HIV-infected subjects with >200 CD4+ T cells/mm in a randomized placebo-controlled trial. After 8 weeks, median lymphocyte and CD4+ cell numbers increased >40% above baseline values (p =.08). No effect was observed on markers of cell activation or apoptosis, although the proportion of CD28+ CD8+ T cells increased (p =.006). Prednisone inhibited monocyte TNFalpha production without affecting T-cell responses to antigens or mitogens. Two subjects assigned to prednisone were subsequently found to have asymptomatic osteonecrosis of the hip. Many questions remain regarding the role of activation-induced sequestration and apoptosis as causes of progressive CD4+ T-cell loss in AIDS. The potential role of corticosteroids as tools to examine this question will be limited by concerns regarding their toxicity; however, further studies of other agents to limit cellular activation in AIDS are warranted.


The Journal of Infectious Diseases | 2017

Clinical Trial of the Anti-PD-L1 Antibody BMS-936559 in HIV-1 Infected Participants on Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy

Ronald J. Bosch; Justin Ritz; Jason M. Hataye; Evgenia Aga; Randall Tressler; Stephen W. Mason; Carey Hwang; Dennis M. Grasela; Neelanjana Ray; Josh C. Cyktor; John M. Coffin; Edward P. Acosta; Richard A. Koup; John W. Mellors; Joseph J. Eron

Background Reversing immune exhaustion with an anti-PD-L1 antibody may improve human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-specific immunity and increase clearance of HIV-1-expressing cells. Methods We conducted a phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating study of BMS-936559, including HIV-1-infected adults aged >18 to <70 years on suppressive antiretroviral therapy with CD4+ counts >350 cells/μL and detectable plasma HIV-1 RNA by single-copy assay. Data on single infusions of BMS-936559 (0.3 mg/kg) versus placebo are described. The primary outcomes were safety defined as any grade 3 or greater or immune-related adverse event (AE) and the change in HIV-1 Gag-specific CD8+ T cell responses from baseline to day 28 after infusion. Results Eight men enrolled: 6 received 0.3 mg/kg of BMS-936559, and 2 received placebo infusions. There were no BMS-936559-related grade 3 or greater AEs. In 1 participant, asymptomatic hypophysitis (a protocol-defined immune-related AE) was identified 266 days after BMS-936559 infusion; it resolved over time. The mean percentage of HIV-1 Gag-specific CD8+ T cells expressing interferon γ increased from baseline (0.09%) through day 28 (0.20%; P = .14), driven by substantial increases in 2 participants who received BMS-936559. Conclusions In this first evaluation of an immunologic checkpoint inhibitor in healthy HIV-1-infected persons, single low-dose BMS-936559 infusions appeared to enhance HIV-1-specific immunity in a subset of participants. Clinical Trials Registration NCT02028403.


AIDS | 2004

Long-term changes in circulating CD4 T lymphocytes in virologically suppressed patients after 6 years of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Kimberly Y. Smith; Evgenia Aga; Ronald J. Bosch; Hernan Valdez; Elizabeth Connick; Alan Landay; Daniel R. Kuritzkes; Barry H. Gross; Isaac R. Francis; Joseph M. McCune; Harold A. Kessler; Michael M. Lederman

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) initiated in advanced HIV disease is associated with CD4 lymphocyte increases (200-300 cells/mm3 after 2-4 years), although longer-term cellular dynamics have not been studied. We observed a significant median CD4 lymphocyte increase of 126 cells/mm3 and 54 naive CD4 lymphocytes from year 3 to 6 of HAART among 20 individuals with pre-HAART CD4 cell counts of 100-300 cells/mm3. This cohort represents the longest prospective immunological follow-up of virologically suppressed patients on HAART.

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Daniel R. Kuritzkes

Brigham and Women's Hospital

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Lawrence Fox

National Institutes of Health

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Alan Landay

Rush University Medical Center

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Jonathan Z. Li

Brigham and Women's Hospital

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