A Pilot Study of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to Evaluate Safety, Acceptability, and Adherence in At-risk Populations in Uganda, Africa

A Pilot Study of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to Evaluate Safety, Acceptability, and Adherence in At-risk Populations in Uganda, Africa

This study will evaluate the safety and acceptability of intermittent and daily pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimens with FTC/TDF (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) in HIV discordant couples, and it will directly compare adherence and intracellular drug levels in daily and intermittent PrEP recipients. It will also evaluate the relationship between drug adherence, sexual behavior and intracellular drug levels with an intermittent PrEP regimen. In addition it will evaluate the relationship between adherence to an intermittent PrEP regimen and timing of sexual activity in relation to PrEP dosing. The pilot will use objective medication event monitoring (MEMS) adherence measurement and evaluate the feasibility of newer adherence measurements such as hair sampling and plasma drug levels. This study will also evaluate the feasibility of using text messaging (SMS) to collect sexual activity data in an African setting. It will allow study teams and communities to prepare for potential subsequent larger trials of intermittent PrEP. The study is not sized to evaluate efficacy. If the intermittent PrEP regimen is safe, feasible in terms of adherence, and achieves intracellular drug levels similar to daily PrEP, the data could be used to design a larger phase 2 study with one or more intermittent PrEP regimens. The goal of such a larger trial would be to provide bridging data if daily PrEP regimens are found to be effective or to prepare for efficacy or non-inferiority trials of intermittent versus daily PrEP.

Investigation of immune responses associated with FTC/TDF will also be evaluated in the pilot study. The proportion of volunteers on FTC/TDF with HIV-specific immune responses, due to exposures that did not lead to established HIV infection, will be assessed at 2-3 time points and compared to responses in volunteers assigned to placebo. Immune responses may be correlated with risk behavior and host factors, such as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type. As noted above, very few HIV infections are expected to occur during the study, so correlation of HIV-specific immune responses and protection from infection or attenuation of disease progression will not be possible until a larger study is conducted.

Inclusion Criteria (for HIV-uninfected volunteers):

• Willing to comply with the protocol and available for follow-up for the study duration

• Has understood the information provided and has provided written informed consent before any study-related procedures are performed

• Willing to undergo couple HIV testing, sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, HIV counseling and receive test results, and share results with partner

• At risk for HIV infection as defined by: has an HIV-infected partner not using ART in the past 3 months and had episodes of unprotected sex with partner in the past 3 months

• If a female of childbearing potential:

  • using an effective method of non-barrier contraception (hormonal contraceptive
  • intrauterine device (IUD)
  • surgical sterility) from 7 days prior to randomization until the end of the study
  • all female volunteers must be willing to undergo urine pregnancy tests

• HIV-infected partner is willing and eligible to enroll in the study

Inclusion Criteria (for HIV-1 infected partner):

• HIV-1 infected partner of an HIV-uninfected volunteer who meets study eligibility
• Plan to remain in the relationship for the duration of the study period
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent & locator information

Exclusion Criteria (for HIV-uninfected volunteer):

• Confirmed HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection

• Any clinically significant acute or chronic medical condition that is considered progressive, including severe infections requiring treatment such as tuberculosis, and alcohol or drug abuse

• Any of the following abnormal lab parameters:

  • Haemoglobin < 9.0 g/dL

  • Creatinine clearance <80mL/min, as calculated by Cockcroft-Gault equation

  • AST: > 2.5 x ULN

  • ALT: > 2.5 x ULN

  • Total bilirubin > 1.5 x ULN

  • Serum amylase > 1.5 x ULN

  • Serum phosphorus < 2.4 mg/dL

  • Urinalysis: Two abnormal dipsticks showing any of the following:

    • blood = 2+ or more (not due to menses);
    • protein = 1+ or more
    • leucocytes = 2+ or more
    • glucose= 1+ or more

• Confirmed diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B infection (HBsAg positive)

• If female, pregnant or planning a pregnancy within 4 months after enrolment or lactating

• Participation in another clinical study of a product currently, or within the 3 mo. prior to enrolment

Exclusion Criteria (for HIV-1 infected partner):

• Current use of antiretroviral therapy
• Concurrent enrollment in another HIV treatment trial