The Effect of Vorinostat on HIV RNA Expression in the Resting CD4+ T Cells of HIV+ Pts on Stable ART

A Phase I/II Investigation of the Effect of Vorinostat (VOR) on HIV RNA Expression in the Resting CD4+ T Cells of HIV-Infected Patients Receiving Stable Antiretroviral Therapy

The purpose of this study is to compare HIV RNA expression and infection within resting (CD4)+ cells in HIV-infected patients on stable ART before and after a single exposure to Vorinostat (VOR), after exposure to short intervals of VOR, and after repeated short interval exposure to VOR dosed over several weeks.

Hypotheses:

1. The frequency of resting CD4+ T cell- associated HIV RNA (RCVL) will be increased following single and repeated exposure to VOR when given at appropriate intervals, and
2. That repeated exposure to VOR will reduce the frequency of HIV infection within resting CD4+ T cells (RCI)

This is a Phase I-II single-center study in participants (ppts) with HIV-1 infection receiving stable ART, with plasma HIV RNA < 50 copies/mL. Baseline ART will be maintained throughout the study. Participants will be screened for study entry, and then undergo an initial leukapheresis evaluation at study entry to obtain resting CD4+ T cells for quantitation of resting CD4+ T cell infection (RCI) and resting CD4+ T cell- associated HIV RNA (RCVL) at a baseline evaluation. All 1st time leukapheresis participants, and others as requested based on prior latent pool determinations, will have HIV-1 DNA PCR done. All participants who enter the study will receive VOR at assigned study visits, and undergo repeat leukapheresis to measure the effects of VOR exposure.

Period One - Single and Multiple Dose Vorinostat (protocol versions (v) 3.0 and 5.0)

After signing the informed consent, completing screening and meeting all eligibility requirements, participants are enrolled and undergo a baseline leukapheresis (Visit 2). Participants exhibiting or not exhibiting a response [quantitation of resting CD4+ T cell infection (RCI) and resting CD4+ T cell- associated HIV RNA (RCVL)] to an ex vivo exposure to VOR will be evaluated for an in vivo response to a single dose of VOR 400 mg. Additionally participants complete a modified 24 hour pharmacokinetics (PK) analysis. All are monitored for adverse events (AEs) especially those that are dose-limiting. Safety monitoring included clinical labs, physical exams and assessment of medications and the onset of new signs and symptoms at all study visits.

Participants demonstrating in vivo a significant increase in the resting CD4+ T cell- associated HIV RNA (RCVL) after the single dose of VOR (protocol v3.0 and v5.0) are eligible to advance into Step 2. In Step 2 (protocol v5.0), participants are administered multiple doses of VOR. Each participant receives 22 total doses of VOR via 2 cycles of 11 doses each. Each cycle is 4 weeks in length. VOR 400 mg is administered on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday followed by 4 days of no drug during the 1st 3 weeks. The 4th week of the cycle will have VOR administered on Monday and Tuesday, followed by a leukapheresis approximately 4 hours after the 11th dose (estimated peak drug level). Participants will be monitored throughout the 4 weeks for safety which includes the documentation of AEs, especially dose-limiting AEs, and other AEs associated with study procedures and events. After a rest period (approximately 5 - 8 weeks), participants repeat the 4 week cycle. Each cycle is analyzed for significant increase in resting CD4+ T cell- associated HIV RNA (RCVL) as compared to baseline (ex-vivo) and step 1 (single dose in-vivo) responses.

Period Two - Single, Paired Interval and Multiple Interval Doses of VOR (protocol v6.0)

Step 1: Enrollment into this study period was similar to the procedures in Period 1. Participants were consented to protocol v6.0, completed screening and after meeting eligibility, enrolled on the study at Visit 2. The leukapheresis, scheduled for Visit 2, was optional based on prior ascertainment of baseline parameters. Omission of this leukapheresis was determined by study PI, after analysis of lab data from previous leukapheresis procedures. Regardless of the completion of the leukapheresis procedure at Visit 2, study enrollment and collection of required research assays was completed at Visit 2. Participant were screened and enrolled into Step 1 until 12 evaluable participants successfully completed the multiple doses of VOR (Step 4), or until the study-stopping rules are met. It is estimated that up to 30 eligible participants may be screened and enrolled to provide a total of 12 evaluable participants who complete Step 3.

Step 2 included several visits: administration of VOR (visit 3), modified/abbreviated 8 hour PK analysis, leukapheresis procedure and safety follow up (Visit 4). After assessment and ascertainment of safe to proceed clinical status, each participant receive a single dose of VOR 400 mg. Participant remained in the clinic for observation and the collection of samples for the abbreviated PK. Four hours after the dose, the leukapheresis procedure was initiated. It was anticipated that the completion of Step 1 and 2 would occur over a minimum of 8 weeks. All participants must complete Step 2 prior to moving to Step 3. All participants are assessed after the Visit 3 leukapheresis for an in vivo response to the 400 mg of VOR.

Progression from Step 2 (single dose) to Step 3 (paired doses) was based on each participant's increase in RCVL following their first dose of 400 mg VOR (Visit 3), compared to that measured at baseline (Visit 2). Progression from Step 3 (paired doses) to Step 4 (multiple doses) will be based on each participant's increase in RCVL following the 2nd in a paired dose VOR 400 mg (total doses = 3, Visit 6), compared to that measured at baseline (Visit 2).

The goal of protocol v6.0 is to determine the optimal interval between two doses of VOR (Step 2), and the response of RCI (and secondarily RCLV) to repeated doses at this interval (Step 3).

Step 3 will be initiated at least 4 weeks after the completion of the Step 2 safety follow up visit (Visit 4). If greater than 60 days elapse between Visit 4 and Visit 5, participants will repeat screening Visit labs to qualify for continued study participation. In Step 3, two paired doses of VOR 400 mg will be administered. The interval between the 2 paired doses can be as short as 48 hours (2 days), and as much as 96 hours (4 days) apart from each other. Participants were assessed for in vivo response via a 3rd leukapheresis after the second of the paired doses of 400 mg VOR. The first three (3) participants will first be assessed for an in-vivo response after the 2nd dose of the paired doses given 48 hours (2 days) apart. Subsequent participants will be assessed for responses to paired doses separated by 48 hours, or the interval may be lengthened to as much 96 hours (4 days), as dictated by the accumulated responses observed in subsequent participants.

If at least 2 of the 3 participants with 48-hour intervals respond (defined as a significant within-subject increase in cell-associated HIV RNA), then 3 subsequent participants will receive 48-hour intervals. If 2 of these 3 respond (4 of 6 total), then 3 additional participants will receive 48-hour intervals. If among the first 6 evaluable participants receiving 48-hour intervals there are 3 non-responders, then subsequent participants will receive 72-hour intervals. Participants receiving 72-hour intervals will then be assessed in the same way as those receiving 48-hour intervals, to either continue additional participants at 72-hour intervals or to increase to 96-hour intervals. Step 3 will enroll until a total of 12 evaluable subjects with a measureable increase in cell-associated HIV RNA are obtained, and these participants have advanced to Step 4.

Our preliminary results from protocol version 5.0 (period 1) are consistent with the hypothesis that the complex cellular effects of HDAC inhibitor exposure require more than 24 hours to resolve. We observed what appears to be an antagonistic effect where a VOR dose blunts the effect of the next dose when two doses are given within 24 hours of each other. The purpose of Step 3 is to establish the optimal dosing interval in which a response to Vorinostat is sustained. Step 3 will study dosing intervals; starting with a 48-hour interval and moving to longer intervals between doses depending on the effect observed with the ultimate goal to determine the shortest interval that yields an optimal effect of VOR.

If a participant fails to respond in their initial Step 3 dosing interval, they can be eligible to repeat Step 3. They can re-enter or repeat Step 3 one time only. They will only re-enter Step 3 to test a longer dosing interval. Again, if > 60 days elapses between the final safety visit of step 3 (Visit 7) and their re-entry to Step 3, they will re-screen (visit 1 only) to qualify to continue in the study.

Step 4: After a period of at least 6 weeks, to allow data analysis, participants who demonstrate an in vivo response to the 2nd of the paired dose of VOR will proceed to Step 4 and receive 10 doses of VOR 400 mg administered at the same interval at which cell-associated HIV-RNA induction was observed in Step 3. If greater than 60 days elapse between Visit 7 and Visit 8, participants will repeat the screening visit labs to qualify for continued participation in the study. At the completion of 10 doses, participants will then be assessed via a 4th and final leukapheresis for in vivo response to the serial dosing of VOR.

It is anticipated that Step 4 will occur over a minimum of 4 weeks; however this may vary among participants based on their Step 3 dosing interval stage. Accumulated blood volumes and the timing between leukapheresis procedures will determine the length of time between each step. Participants completing this protocol (version 6.0), who respond initially in Step 3 will receive a total of 5200 mg of Vorinostat. Participant completing the study, who repeat Step 3, will receive a total of 6000 mg of Vorinostat. For reference, participants who completed the previous version (5.0) received a total of 10,000 mg of Vorinostat without clear evidence of any durable drug-associated toxicity thus far.

The change in the frequency of HIV-1 infection per million resting CD4 + cells will be measured after repeated short interval dosing with VOR in Step 4. The 4th leukapheresis (Visit 12) will be compared to the baseline leukapheresis done at Visit 2. If the VOR 400 mg dosing in Step 4 is interrupted due to toxicity or intolerance, then the leukapheresis will be performed as soon as possible after the VOR interruption. This is justified as if a depletion of resting cell infection can occur; new resting cell infection is unlikely to occur in the presence of ART. Test dosing in this Step will continue until the study's stopping (lack of response in five) or toxicity rules are met.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. HIV-1 infection
2. Men, women age ≥18 years.
3. Ability, willingness to give written informed consent.
4. Able, willing to provide adequate locator information.
5. Karnofsky performance status >70.
6. Able, willing to adhere to therapy and adherent to ART.
7. Able,willing to comply with time requirements for study visits and evaluations.
8. On potent ART, defined as at least 2 nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors plus a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, integrase inhibitor, or a protease inhibitor without interruption (defined as missing doses for more than two consecutive days or more than four cumulative days) in the 24 weeks immediately prior to entry. Other potent fully suppressive antiretroviral combinations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Prior changes in or elimination of medications for easier dosing schedule, intolerance, or other reasons are permitted if an alternative suppression regimen was maintained.
9. Adequate vascular access for leukapheresis.
10. Able to swallow pills without difficulty.
11. On combination ART for ≥ 18 months prior to study entry, no consecutive HIV-1 RNA values >50 copies/mL in that time period
12. CD4 cell count ≥ 300 cells/µl at screening.
13. All male study volunteers must agree not to participate in a conception process.
14. Must be seronegative for Hep C RNA, Hep B sAg within 90 days of entry
15. Must have adequate organ function as indicated by the following lab values:

Hematological: Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) ≥ 1,500/mcL Platelets ≥ 125,000/mcL Hgb ≥ 12 g/dL

Coagulation: Prothrombin Time or International Normalized Ratio (INR) ≤ 1.5x upper limit of normal (ULN)

Chemistry: K+ levels Within normal limits Mg++ levels > Lower limits of normal (LLN) but <1.5 x ULN Glucose Screening serum glucose(fasting/non-fasting) below 120 mg/dl.

Renal: Serum creatinine/calculated creatinine clearance* ≤ 1.3 X ULN OR ≥ 60 mL/min for participants with creatinine levels > 1.3 X ULN

Hepatic: Serum total bilirubin Total bilirubin < 1.5 times ULN. If total bilirubin is elevated, direct bilirubin will be measured and the participant will be eligible if the direct bilirubin is < 2 X ULN.

Aspartate amino transferase (AST) (SGOT) and Alanine amino transferase (ALT) (SGPT)≤ 2.0 X ULN Lipase <1.6 X ULN Alkaline Phosphatase ≤ 2.5 X ULN

*Creatinine clearance should be calculated per institutional standard.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Received blood transfusions or hematopoetic growth factors within 90 days.
2. All women unless there is written documentation of menopause (absence of a period for ≥ one year), hysterectomy, oophorectomy, or tubal ligation.
3. The study PI is unable to construct a fully active alternative regimen based on previous resistance testing and/or treatment history
4. Use of atazanavir and raltegravir in background antiretroviral regimens.
5. Any antiretroviral medications that cannot be co-administered with Vorinostat within the 4 weeks of the first Vorinostat dose and anytime thereafter while on study.
6. Use of any of the following within 90 days prior to entry: systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy; investigational agents; immunomodulators (colony-stimulating factors, growth factors, systemic corticosteroids, HIV vaccines, immune globulin, interleukins, interferons); coumadin, warfarin, or other Coumadin derivative anticoagulants.
7. Any serious illness requiring systemic treatment or hospitalization, the subject must either complete therapy or be clinically stable on therapy, in the opinion of the site investigator, for at least 90 days prior to entry.
8. Compulsorily detained (involuntarily incarcerated) for treatment of either a psychiatric illness or a physical illness, e.g., infectious disease. Prisoner recruitment and participation is not permitted.
9. Treatment for an active AIDS-defining opportunistic infection within 90 days prior to screening.
10. Any history of cardiac rhythm disturbance requiring medical or surgical therapy.
11. Any history of acute or chronic pancreatitis.
12. Use of the following medications that carry risk of torsades de pointes: amiodarone, arsenic trioxide, astemizole, bepridil, chloroquine, chlorpromazine, cisapride, clarithromycin, disopyramide, dofetilide, domperidone, droperidol, erythromycin, halofantrine, haloperidol, ibutilide, levomethadyl, mesoridazine, methadone, pentamidine, pimozide, probucol, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, sparfloxacin, terfenadine, thioridazine.
13. Receipt of compounds with HDAC inhibitor-like activity, such as valproic acid within the last 30 days. Potential participants may enroll after a 30-day washout period.
14. Known hypersensitivity to the components of VOR or its analogs.
15. Known psychiatric or substance abuse disorders that would interfere with cooperation with the requirements of the trial.
16. Pregnancy or breast feeding, or expecting to father children within the projected duration of the study.
17. Inability to communicate effectively with study personnel.