A Study of Valacyclovir to Suppress HSV and HIV Shedding in Coinfected Persons

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Crossover Trial Using Valacyclovir to Suppress HSV and HIV Shedding in HIV-1, HSV-2 Coinfected Persons

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 4

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00161434

Enrollment

Registered

2005-09-12

Start date

2003-03-31

Completion date

2006-06-30

Last updated

2008-01-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Herpes Simplex, HIV Infections

Keywords

HIV-1

Brief summary

The primary objective of this research study is to assess if daily valacyclovir therapy for suppression of HSV-2 reactivation is associated with a decrease in mucosal HIV shedding in individuals co-infected with both HSV-2 and HIV.

Detailed description

Sexually transmitted diseases and genital ulcer disease (GUD) contribute significantly to the spread of HIV, as their presence is associated with higher rates of HIV acquisition in susceptible individuals. Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) is a major cause of GUD in developed and developing countries. The primary objective of this research study is to assess if daily valacyclovir therapy for suppression of HSV-2 reactivation is associated with a decrease in mucosal HIV shedding in individuals co-infected with both HSV-2 and HIV. This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Sixty men who have sex with men (MSM) will be randomized to first receive either valacyclovir, 1 gram once a day, or matching placebo for 8 weeks. After a 2-week washout period during which all participants receive placebo, subjects then switch to the other treatment for the next 8 weeks. At screening, informed consent is obtained and individuals will have blood drawn to test antibody status to HIV and HSV and well as to monitor CD4 count and plasma HIV RNA determination. At enrollment, oral, genital, and rectal specimens are obtained and additional blood is drawn. Participants are given a two-week supply of study medication and are instructed on the technique of collecting daily home samples and completing a diary. Following enrollment, they are asked to collect daily home oral and genital samples, as well as semen samples twice a week, for the full 18 weeks of the study. Participants return to the clinic three times per week for follow-up, for collection of oral and rectal specimens, and additional study medication. Rectal Biopsy is performed at weeks 8 and 18 for those individuals that signed the additional rectal biopsy consent form.

Interventions

DRUGvalacyclovir

1 gram daily for 8 weeks

DRUGplacebo

matching placebo for 8 weeks

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

CROSSOVER

Primary purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

MALE

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* HIV seropositive and HSV-2 seropositive * MSM (men having sex with men) * 18 years old or older

Exclusion criteria

* Known history of adverse reaction to acyclovir or valacyclovir * Planned open label use of acyclovir, valacyclovir or famciclovir

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
To assess reduction in mucosal HIV shedding associated with daily valacyclovir for suppression of HSV-2 reactivation.	18 weeks

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
To quantify increase in rectal and pharyngeal HIV-1 shedding associated with HSV-1 and HSV-2 reactivation. To determine reduction in systemic HIV RNA during valacyclovir therapy. To evaluate reduction in inflammatory cells and HIV replication.	18 weeks

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026