Combination Latency Reversal With High Dose Disulfiram Plus Vorinostat in HIV-infected Individuals on ART (DIVA): A Single Arm Clinical Trial
Combination Latency Reversal With High Dose Disulfiram Plus Vorinostat in HIV-infected Individuals on ART (DIVA): A Single Arm Clinical Trial
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) dramatically reduces Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) replication leading to restoration of immune function and a near normal life expectancy, but treatment is lifelong and there is no cure. The major barrier to a cure is the persistence of long lived cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4+) T-cells that contain a "silenced" form of HIV, called HIV latency.
The purpose of this research is to investigate whether it may be possible to reduce the amount of dormant HIV infection in immune cells, by "turning on" or activating the virus and hence force it out of the latently infected memory T cells. This leads to production of HIV by the cell, which will either die or will be recognized and eliminated by the immune system. As very few T cells are latently infected with HIV, the death of these cells is not expected to affect the function of the immune system and further infection of new cells is expected to be prevented by ART.
One strategy aimed at reducing the frequency of latently infected cells in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the use of pharmacological agents to reverse HIV latency, thereby initiating virus-mediated cell lysis or immune-mediated killing. Recent clinical trials of latency reversing agents (LRAs) in HIV infected subjects on ART, including histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) and the anti-alcoholism drug disulfiram, have shown that inducing an increase in Cell Associated Unspliced (CA-US) HIV RNA or plasma HIV RNA is possible. Yet, these interventions did not have a demonstrable effect on the frequency of latently infected cells or time to viral rebound after cessation of ART, potentially because latency reversal alone didn't trigger an adequate immune response or cell death or that the potency of latency reversal with a single-agent intervention over a very short period of time, lacked sufficient potency, as suggested by recent in vitro studies. It is highly likely that long-term remission off ART will require interventions that lead to both a reduction in latently infected cells and an increase in HIV-specific immunity, therefore identifying a strategy to increase viral antigens on the surface of latently infected cells will be a key component of this strategy.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Current alcohol use disorder or hazardous alcohol use (>7 drinks per week for women or > 14 drinks per week for men) as determined by clinical evaluation
Current or recent (in the last 4 days) use of metronidazole or any drug formulation that contains alcohol or that might contain alcohol, including the gelatin capsule and liquid formulations of ritonavir, ritonavir/lopinavir, amprenavir and fosamprenavir, and alcohol-containing preparations such as cough syrups, tonics etc.
Current use of tipranavir or Maraviroc
Current use of zidovudine, stavudine or didanosine (as disulfiram potentially has potent irreversible inhibitory effects on mitochondrial metabolism and hence could exacerbate the toxicity of these drugs)
Concurrent use of rivaroxaban (a CYP3A metabolized medication) as the cytochrome P450 inhibitory effects of disulfiram on rivaroxaban are unknown
Current use of warfarin
Individuals who intend to modify antiretroviral therapy during the study period for any reason
Significant myocardial disease (current myocarditis or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction below the lower limit of normal) or diagnosed coronary artery disease
Significant renal disease (eGFR <50 milliliter/minute)
History of psychosis, seizure disorder, abnormal electroencephalogram or brain damage with significant persisting neurological deficit
Prior malignancy active within the previous 3 years except for local curable cancers that have been apparently cured, such as basal or squamous cell skin cancer, superficial bladder cancer or carcinoma in situ of the prostate, cervix or breast.
Known hypersensitivity to disulfiram or vorinostat or contraindications to treatment with these agents
Participation in another latency reversal study or receipt of vorinostat or disulfiram in the previous 12 months before starting the investigational treatment
Any significant acute medical illness requiring hospitalization within preceding 8 weeks
Hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) co-infection as determined by detection of HBsAg or HCV RNA (Individuals with prior hepatitis infection that is now cleared are eligible for enrolment)
Receipt of immunomodulating agents (excluding immunization) or systemic chemotherapeutic agents within 28 days prior to study entry
Current or recent gastrointestinal disease or surgery that may impact the absorption of the investigational drug
Active substance use that in the opinion of the investigator will prevent adequate compliance with study procedures
Women who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Women of Child Bearing Potential (WOCBP) who are unwilling or unable to use an acceptable method of contraception to avoid pregnancy
Unable or unwilling to adhere to protocol procedures
The following laboratory values within 6 weeks before starting the investigational drug (lab tests may be repeated to obtain acceptable values before failure at screening is concluded)