Skip to content

FEM-PrEP (Truvada®): Study to Assess the Role of Truvada® in Preventing HIV Acquisition in Women

Phase 3, Multi-center, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Effectiveness and Safety Study to Assess the Role of Truvada® in Preventing HIV Acquisition in Women

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00625404
Enrollment
2120
Registered
2008-02-28
Start date
2009-05-31
Completion date
2013-01-31
Last updated
2018-07-26

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

Conditions

HIV Infections

Keywords

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), HIV, HIV Prevention, Oral PrEP, Truvada, women, Tenofovir, TDF, FTC, emtricitabine, hepatitis, Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV Seronegativity

Brief summary

This Phase III, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolled HIV-negative women from 4 sites in 3 countries (Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa). The study's purpose was to investigate the safety and effectiveness of a once-daily Truvada® pill (compared with placebo) in preventing HIV among HIV-uninfected women at risk of becoming infected through sexual intercourse. The study population included HIV-antibody-negative women between the ages of 18-35 who were at risk of HIV acquisition through sexual intercourse. Each participant was randomized to take either a daily single oral tablet of Truvada®, which is a fixed-dose combination of emtricitabine (FTC; 200 mg) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF; 300 mg), or an identical placebo. After enrollment, each participant was followed every four weeks. All participants were followed for an additional eight weeks after study drug was stopped. Incidence rates of HIV infection were compared between the two groups (active drug and placebo) using the intent-to-treat principle.

Detailed description

This Phase III, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial enrolled HIV-negative women from 4 sites in 3 countries (Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa). The study's purpose was to investigate the safety and effectiveness of a once-daily Truvada® pill (compared with placebo) in preventing HIV among HIV-uninfected women at risk of becoming infected through sexual intercourse. The study population included HIV-antibody-negative women between the ages of 18-35 who were at risk of HIV acquisition through sexual intercourse. Each participant was randomized to take either a daily single oral tablet of Truvada®, which is a fixed-dose combination of emtricitabine (FTC; 200 mg) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF; 300 mg), or an identical placebo. All participants received risk reduction counseling and condoms. Women had to be using a study-approved effective non-barrier contraceptive method at the time of enrollment and were asked to do so for the whole period they were on study drug. They received contraceptive counseling throughout the study. Any diagnosed, treatable sexually transmitted infection was treated free of charge. After enrollment, each participant was followed every four weeks. All participants were followed for an additional eight weeks after study drug was stopped. Participants at risk for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) flare were followed every four weeks for 12 weeks after stopping study product. Participants who acquired HIV infection during the study stopped taking the study drug at the time of HIV diagnosis, and will be followed for 52 weeks post diagnosis and were referred for care and treatment. Participants who became pregnant stopped taking the study drug but continued follow-up visits. Incidence rates of HIV infection were compared between the two groups (active drug and placebo) using the intent-to-treat principle.

Interventions

DRUGTruvada

Daily single oral tablet of Truvada - a fixed-dose combination of emtricitabine (FTC; 200 mg) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF; 300 mg).

OTHERPlacebo

Daily single oral tablet of Placebo. Tablets are identical to Truvada tablets in taste and appearance; however, they contain no active ingredients.

Sponsors

FHI 360
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

1. Willing and able (see criterion 2) to provide written informed consent to be screened for and to participate in the trial 2. Able to answer a percentage of informed consent screening (75%) and enrollment (100%) comprehension quiz questions correctly 3. Between 18-35 years old, inclusive 4. At higher risk of becoming HIV infected 5. Have a final negative result according to the site-specific screening HIV testing algorithm and a final negative result at enrollment according to the study HIV testing algorithm 6. Willing to participate in all aspects of the study and to comply with study procedures, for up to 60 weeks, including: * Be randomized * Use study product as directed * Adhere to follow-up schedule and willing to be contacted by site staff between study visits (by phone and/or in person) * Use a study-approved effective non-barrier method of contraception for the duration of the study * Take study product, as evidenced by swallowing a vitamin tablet that is similar in size to the study product at enrollment * Provide contact information and agrees to some form of contact method throughout the study 7. Not intending to relocate out of the area for the duration of the study participation and does not have a job or other obligations that may require long absences from the area ( \> 1 month at a time) 8. In general good health and have no condition (social or medical) which, in the opinion of the Site Investigator, would make study participation unsafe or complicate data interpretation 9. Not pregnant or breastfeeding, and does not anticipate a desire for pregnancy during the 52 weeks of on-product participation 10. Medically eligible at screening including: * Adequate renal function (serum creatinine ≤ upper limit of normal (ULN) of local range and creatinine clearance ≥ 60ml/min estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault Creatinine Clearance Formula * Adequate hepatic function (hepatic transaminases ALT and AST \< 2x ULN \[according to local normal ranges\]) * HBsAg negative * Serum phosphorus levels above the lower limit of the local normal range (according to local normal ranges - grade 3 & 4 hypophosphatemia will be excluded even if within normal local ranges) 11. Not received or receiving an experimental HIV vaccine, participating in another HIV prevention study or participating in any other clinical trial with a biomedical intervention 12. No clinical signs of liver disease (e.g., ascites, spider angiomata, hepatomegaly, jaundice) 13. No definite evidence of glycosuria or proteinuria (i.e., no repeated positive \[ ≥ + 1 \] urine dipstick). If a urine dipstick is positive for either glucose and/or protein at the first test, a second urine sample will be tested. 14. No history of pathological bone fractures 15. No history of adverse reaction to latex 16. Not taking any of the following medications: nephrotoxic agents; aminoglycoside antibiotics (including gentamicin); intravenous (IV) amphotericin B; cidofovir; cisplatin; foscarnet; IV pentamidine; oral or IV vancomycin; oral or IV gancyclovir; other agents with significant nephrotoxic potential; drugs that slow renal excretion; probenecid; immune system modulators; systemic chemotherapeutic agents (i.e. cancer treatment medications); systemic corticosteroids; interleukin-2 (IL-2); immunomodulators; interferon (alpha, beta, or gamma); other antiretrovirals (including nucleoside analogs, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors or investigational antiretroviral agents)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Confirmed Grade 3 or Higher AST ElevationThrough 52 weeks on product and 4 weeks post-productGrade 3 or higher AST elevation was defined as ≥ 2.6 times the upper limit of normal
HIV InfectionCumulative HIV infection between enrollment and 52 weeksHIV Seroconversion, with time to infection refined based on PCR results obtained from stored specimens.
Confirmed Grade 2 or Higher Serum Creatinine Toxicitycumulative toxicity through 52 weeks of product use and 4 weeks post productRepeat specimens were collected to confirm chemistry toxicities. Grade 2 or higher serum creatinine toxicity was defined as ≥1.4 times the upper limit of normal
Frequency of Adverse Events (AEs) During and Within 4 Weeks After Study Product Administration10-26 months per siteThe total number of adverse events in the placebo and Truvada arms during and within 4 weeks after study product administration.
Confirmed Grade 3 or Higher Reduction in PhosphorusThrough 52 weeks on product and 4 weeks post-productRepeat specimens were collected to confirm chemistry toxicities. Grade 3 phosphorus reduction was defined as ≤2.4mg/dL
Confirmed Grade 3 or Higher ALT ElevationThrough 52 weeks on product and 4 weeks post-productGrade 3 or higher ALT elevation was defined as ≥ 2.6 times the upper limit of normal

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Plasma HIV RNA Level (HIV-1 Viral Load)up to 16 weeksViral load at the time of HIV detection, HIV conversion and through 16 weeks
CD4+ T-cell CountUp to 16 weeksCD4+ T-cell Count at the Time of HIV Seroconversion through 16 weeks
FTC and/or Tenofovir Resistanceup to 52 weeksGenotypic resistance to FTC and/or tenofovir at the time of HIV diagnosis and 4 weeks later. If resistance was present, testing was repeated at weeks 12, 24, 36 and 52 as necessary (resistance testing will stop if no resistance is detected). participants were classified as having resistance if they had one or more visits in which resistance was detected, even if the resistance became undetectable over time.
Pregnancy Complicationsup to 60 weeksReported complications during pregnancy, including spontaneous abortion, vaginal or uterine bleeding, emergency c-section and other complications
Pill Counts and Participant Report of Adherence to Once-daily Pill TakingUp to 52 weeksPill counts and participant report of adherence to once-daily pill taking reported as mean days study product could have been used according to pill counts
Participant Report of Change in Number of Sexual PartnersUp to 52 weeksDifference in mean number of reported sexual partners between final study visit and enrollment visit

Countries

Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Truvada Arm
Daily single oral tablet of Placebo. Tablets are identical to Truvada tablets in taste and appearance; however, they contain no active ingredients.
1,062
Placebo Arm
Daily single oral tablet of Placebo. Tablets are identical to Truvada tablets in taste and appearance; however, they contain no active ingredients.
1,058
Total2,120

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTruvada ArmPlacebo ArmTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
1062 Participants1058 Participants2120 Participants
Age, Continuous23 years23 years23 years
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1062 Participants1058 Participants2120 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
761 / 1,025749 / 1,033
serious
Total, serious adverse events
33 / 1,02523 / 1,033

Outcome results

Primary

Confirmed Grade 2 or Higher Serum Creatinine Toxicity

Repeat specimens were collected to confirm chemistry toxicities. Grade 2 or higher serum creatinine toxicity was defined as ≥1.4 times the upper limit of normal

Time frame: cumulative toxicity through 52 weeks of product use and 4 weeks post product

Population: The Safety Population consisted of all women who were randomized and who had at least one follow-up visit and did not return all of their product un-used. Only women assessed for a particular safety outcome were included in analysis of that outcome.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Truvada ArmConfirmed Grade 2 or Higher Serum Creatinine Toxicity4 participants
Placebo ArmConfirmed Grade 2 or Higher Serum Creatinine Toxicity2 participants
Comparison: Log-rank test for difference in rate of grade 2 or higher creatinine, based on time to first event.p-value: 0.45Log Rank
Primary

Confirmed Grade 3 or Higher ALT Elevation

Grade 3 or higher ALT elevation was defined as ≥ 2.6 times the upper limit of normal

Time frame: Through 52 weeks on product and 4 weeks post-product

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Truvada ArmConfirmed Grade 3 or Higher ALT Elevation6 participants
Placebo ArmConfirmed Grade 3 or Higher ALT Elevation8 participants
Comparison: Log-rank test for difference in rates between groupsp-value: 0.79Log Rank
Primary

Confirmed Grade 3 or Higher AST Elevation

Grade 3 or higher AST elevation was defined as ≥ 2.6 times the upper limit of normal

Time frame: Through 52 weeks on product and 4 weeks post-product

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Truvada ArmConfirmed Grade 3 or Higher AST Elevation3 participants
Placebo ArmConfirmed Grade 3 or Higher AST Elevation1 participants
Comparison: Log-rank test for difference in rates between groupsp-value: 0.62Log Rank
Primary

Confirmed Grade 3 or Higher Reduction in Phosphorus

Repeat specimens were collected to confirm chemistry toxicities. Grade 3 phosphorus reduction was defined as ≤2.4mg/dL

Time frame: Through 52 weeks on product and 4 weeks post-product

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Truvada ArmConfirmed Grade 3 or Higher Reduction in Phosphorus45 participants
Placebo ArmConfirmed Grade 3 or Higher Reduction in Phosphorus40 participants
Comparison: Log-rank test for difference in rates between groupsp-value: 0.59Log Rank
Primary

Frequency of Adverse Events (AEs) During and Within 4 Weeks After Study Product Administration

The total number of adverse events in the placebo and Truvada arms during and within 4 weeks after study product administration.

Time frame: 10-26 months per site

Population: The Safety Population, a subset of the ITT Population, excludes participants who never received study product, returned all product unused, or never returned for a follow-up visit. Analyses were performed by randomly assigned treatment group.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Truvada ArmFrequency of Adverse Events (AEs) During and Within 4 Weeks After Study Product Administration2257 Number of adverse events
Placebo ArmFrequency of Adverse Events (AEs) During and Within 4 Weeks After Study Product Administration2384 Number of adverse events
Primary

HIV Infection

HIV Seroconversion, with time to infection refined based on PCR results obtained from stored specimens.

Time frame: Cumulative HIV infection between enrollment and 52 weeks

Population: All randomized participants who made at least one follow-up visit and were not HIV-positive at enrollment were included in the analysis population

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Truvada ArmHIV Infection33 participants
Placebo ArmHIV Infection35 participants
Comparison: Hazard ratio (HR) for HIV infection based on proportional hazards model, stratified on site. Study was designed to have 90% power to reject the null hypothesis that the HR for infection is \> 0.395% CI: [0.59, 1.52]
Secondary

CD4+ T-cell Count

CD4+ T-cell Count at the Time of HIV Seroconversion through 16 weeks

Time frame: Up to 16 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Truvada ArmCD4+ T-cell Count579.3 cells/mLStandard Deviation 318.2
Placebo ArmCD4+ T-cell Count601.4 cells/mLStandard Deviation 318.5
Comparison: t-test for difference in mean CD-4 countsp-value: 0.82t-test, 2 sided
Secondary

FTC and/or Tenofovir Resistance

Genotypic resistance to FTC and/or tenofovir at the time of HIV diagnosis and 4 weeks later. If resistance was present, testing was repeated at weeks 12, 24, 36 and 52 as necessary (resistance testing will stop if no resistance is detected). participants were classified as having resistance if they had one or more visits in which resistance was detected, even if the resistance became undetectable over time.

Time frame: up to 52 weeks

Population: All women who seroconverted were assessed for possible resistance.

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Truvada ArmFTC and/or Tenofovir Resistance3 participants
Placebo ArmFTC and/or Tenofovir Resistance1 participants
Secondary

Participant Report of Change in Number of Sexual Partners

Difference in mean number of reported sexual partners between final study visit and enrollment visit

Time frame: Up to 52 weeks

Population: Women reporting on sexual behavior during follow-up

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Truvada ArmParticipant Report of Change in Number of Sexual Partners-0.14 mean number of sexual partnersStandard Deviation 0.6
Placebo ArmParticipant Report of Change in Number of Sexual Partners-0.13 mean number of sexual partnersStandard Deviation 0.79
Comparison: t-test for difference in change in number of sexual partners over timep-value: 0.73t-test, 2 sided
Secondary

Pill Counts and Participant Report of Adherence to Once-daily Pill Taking

Pill counts and participant report of adherence to once-daily pill taking reported as mean days study product could have been used according to pill counts

Time frame: Up to 52 weeks

Population: All randomized participants who completed at least one follow-up visit, excluding women found to have been infected at enrollment

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Truvada ArmPill Counts and Participant Report of Adherence to Once-daily Pill Taking87 percentage of daysStandard Deviation 0.2
Placebo ArmPill Counts and Participant Report of Adherence to Once-daily Pill Taking89 percentage of daysStandard Deviation 0.17
Secondary

Plasma HIV RNA Level (HIV-1 Viral Load)

Viral load at the time of HIV detection, HIV conversion and through 16 weeks

Time frame: up to 16 weeks

Population: 68 women who became infected post-enrollment were included in viral load analyses. Only 48 of these women (27 on Truvada and 21 on placebo) contributed a specimen sample for analysis at the 16-weeks post seroconversion visit

ArmMeasureValue (LOG_MEAN)Dispersion
Truvada ArmPlasma HIV RNA Level (HIV-1 Viral Load)4.40 log copies/mLStandard Deviation 1.05
Placebo ArmPlasma HIV RNA Level (HIV-1 Viral Load)4.37 log copies/mLStandard Deviation 1.08
Comparison: t-test for difference on viral loadsp-value: 0.89t-test, 2 sided
Secondary

Pregnancy Complications

Reported complications during pregnancy, including spontaneous abortion, vaginal or uterine bleeding, emergency c-section and other complications

Time frame: up to 60 weeks

Population: Women becoming pregnant during regular follow-up in the study (70 in Truvada group and 45 in placebo group)

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
Truvada ArmPregnancy Complications20 participants
Placebo ArmPregnancy Complications10 participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 26, 2026