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Combination Latency Reversal With High Dose Disulfiram Plus Vorinostat in HIV-infected Individuals on ART

Combination Latency Reversal With High Dose Disulfiram Plus Vorinostat in HIV-infected Individuals on ART (DIVA): A Single Arm Clinical Trial

Status
Terminated
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03198559
Enrollment
5
Registered
2017-06-26
Start date
2017-08-08
Completion date
2019-04-09
Last updated
2024-02-09

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

Conditions

HIV Infections

Keywords

HIV latency, Disulfiram, Vorinostat, Latency Reversing Agents, Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors (HDACi)

Brief summary

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.

Detailed description

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.

Interventions

DRUGDisulfiram, (National Drug Code) NDC 0378-4141-01

This study will provide open label disulfiram. Participants will take 2 grams (4x500mg tablets) of disulfiram per day for a total of 28 days

DRUGVorinostat, NDC 00006-0568-40

This study will provide open label vorinostat. Participants will take 400mg (4x100mg capsules) of vorinostat per day on days 8, 9, 10 and days 22, 23, 24.

Sponsors

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
The Alfred
CollaboratorOTHER
University of Melbourne
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Masking description

Open Label

Intervention model description

Single arm, single site,

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age 18-65 years with documented HIV-1 infection (antibody positive or detectable plasma HIV-1 RNA) * Receiving combination ART with plasma HIV RNA \<50 copies/mL for \>3 years * CD4+ T cell count \>350 microliter at screening * Able to provide informed consent * Willing to abstain from alcohol consumption from one day before to 14 days after completing 28 days of disulfiram * One month post influenza vaccine (from screening visit) * Women of non-child-bearing potential defined as \> 12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea and ≥ 45 years of age, or documented medical history of one of the following: hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy or tubal ligation. * Women of Child Bearing Potential (WOCBP) with a negative pregnancy test at Screening and agrees to use one of the study protocol specified methods of contraception to avoid pregnancy

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) * Hepatic transaminases (AST or ALT) ≥3 x upper limit of normal (ULN) * Serum total bilirubin ≥1.5 x ULN * eGFR \<50 milliliter/min * Hemoglobin \<11.0 g/deciliter * Platelet count ≤100 x10\^9/L (liter) * Absolute neutrophil count ≤1.5x10\^9/L * Serum potassium, magnesium, phosphorus outside normal limits * Total calcium (corrected for serum albumin) or ionized calcium ≤ lower normal limits

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Day 11 Plasma HIV RNA Relative to BaselineBaseline and 11 daysThe primary endpoint was to determine the change from baseline to day 11 of plasma HIV RNA levels after 11 continuous days of disulfiram with administration of vorinostat on days 8, 9 and 10 in HIV infected individuals on suppressive ART.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse EventsAdverse events were collected continuously throughout the study duration from day 1 on treatment until 2 months since last dose of study drug, an average duration of 3 monthsThis secondary outcome was to determine the Incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events \[Safety and Tolerability\] during a 28 day course of continuous disulfiram with intermittent administration of 3 days of vorinostat on two occasions in HIV infected individuals on suppressive ART. An adverse event is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product. An SAE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence that; results in death, is life-threatening, requires hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, results in disability/incapacity, is a congenital anomaly/birth defect, other situations as judged by physician. Systematic assessments of adverse events were performed at each visit, including unscheduled visits
Plasma HIV RNA Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsBaseline to Days 8, 15, 21, 38, 59, 196, 197. Data is reported for days where samples were collected for each participant.This secondary outcome was to determine the fold change in plasma HIV RNA levels at additional time points during and after 11 continuous days of disulfiram with administration of vorinostat on days 8, 9 and 10 in HIV infected individuals on suppressive ART.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
HIV Levels Relative to BaselineDay 56This outcome was to measure the frequency of inducible virus as measured by Tat/rev limiting dilution assay (TILDA) in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells relative to baseline. Not conducted as part of the analysis and there are no future plans to assess this outcome, as analysis from 2 participants would not provide any meaningful results, given that the participants did not manage to complete the treatment course.
Vorinostat Concentration in PlasmaBaseline and days 8, 11, 15, 21, 37, 58. Data is reported for days where samples were collected for each participant.This outcome was to measure the concentrations of vorinostat (including its metabolites) in plasma.
HIV RNA Transcription Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsBaseline to Days 8, 11, 15, 21, 38, 59, 196, 197. Data is reported for days where samples were collected for each participant.This secondary outcome was to measure HIV transcription measured by cell-associated unspliced HIV RNA (CA-US HIV RNA) in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells relative to baseline
p24 Expression in CD4+ T-cells Relative to BaselineBaseline and Days 8, 11, 15, 21, 37, 58, 196 and 197. Data is reported for days where samples were collected for each participant.This outcome was to measure the p24 expression in CD4+ T-cells relative to baseline
Disulfiram Concentration in PlasmaDays 8, 11, 22, 25, 28, 56 and 196 Data is reported for days where samples were collected for each participant.This outcome was to measure the concentrations of disulfiram (including its metabolites) in plasma
Cell Associated Total HIV DNA Relative to Baseline at Additional PointsBaseline and Days 38, 59, 196 and 197. Data is reported for days where results are available for each participant.This outcome was to measure Cell-associated total and integrated HIV DNA in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells relative to baseline
Cell-associated Integrated HIV DNA Relative to Baseline at Additional PointsBaseline to Days 38, 59, 197, 196. Data is reported for days where samples were collected for each participant.This outcome was to measure cell-associated integrated HIV DNA in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells relative to baseline

Countries

Australia

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Study recruitment began August 8, 2017. Participants were enrolled for screening between this date and when recruitment into the study was suspended on October 19, 2017. In the end, 5 participants were consented into the study and found eligible to begin treatment. Only 2 participants received treatment before the study was suspended.

Pre-assignment details

Enrolled participants who were screened and found eligible to begin on-study treatment were started in a staggered-start. Essentially this meant that the first 2 eligible participants started treatment at the same time. Only once the treatment phase had been completed would the next 2 eligible participants begin the on-study treatment phase.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Experimental
Participants current ART regimen: 2 grams disulfiram by mouth per day for a total of 28 days 400mg vorinostat by mouth per day on days 8, 9,10 and days 22, 23, 24 Disulfiram, (National Drug Code) NDC 0378-4141-01: This study will provide open label disulfiram. Participants will take 2 grams (4x500mg tablets) of disulfiram per day for a total of 28 days Vorinostat, NDC 00006-0568-40: This study will provide open label vorinostat. Participants will take 400mg (4x100mg capsules) of vorinostat per day on days 8, 9, 10 and days 22, 23, 24.
2
Total2

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyAdverse Event2

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicExperimental
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
1 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
2 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Australia
2 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
0 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
2 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
2 / 2
other
Total, other adverse events
2 / 2
serious
Total, serious adverse events
2 / 2

Outcome results

Primary

Day 11 Plasma HIV RNA Relative to Baseline

The primary endpoint was to determine the change from baseline to day 11 of plasma HIV RNA levels after 11 continuous days of disulfiram with administration of vorinostat on days 8, 9 and 10 in HIV infected individuals on suppressive ART.

Time frame: Baseline and 11 days

Population: The analysis included all participants who received at least one dose of study drug.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
ExperimentalDay 11 Plasma HIV RNA Relative to BaselineParticipant 11 Fold change from baseline to day 11
ExperimentalDay 11 Plasma HIV RNA Relative to BaselineParticipant 213.5 Fold change from baseline to day 11
Secondary

Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events

This secondary outcome was to determine the Incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events \[Safety and Tolerability\] during a 28 day course of continuous disulfiram with intermittent administration of 3 days of vorinostat on two occasions in HIV infected individuals on suppressive ART. An adverse event is defined as any untoward medical occurrence in a clinical study participant, temporally associated with the use of a medicinal product, whether or not considered related to the medicinal product. An SAE is defined as any untoward medical occurrence that; results in death, is life-threatening, requires hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, results in disability/incapacity, is a congenital anomaly/birth defect, other situations as judged by physician. Systematic assessments of adverse events were performed at each visit, including unscheduled visits

Time frame: Adverse events were collected continuously throughout the study duration from day 1 on treatment until 2 months since last dose of study drug, an average duration of 3 months

Population: All participants who received one dose of treatment.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
ExperimentalIncidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse EventsAny SAE2 Participants
ExperimentalIncidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse EventsAny non-SAE2 Participants
Secondary

Plasma HIV RNA Relative to Baseline at Additional Time Points

This secondary outcome was to determine the fold change in plasma HIV RNA levels at additional time points during and after 11 continuous days of disulfiram with administration of vorinostat on days 8, 9 and 10 in HIV infected individuals on suppressive ART.

Time frame: Baseline to Days 8, 15, 21, 38, 59, 196, 197. Data is reported for days where samples were collected for each participant.

Population: All participants who received at least one dose of treatment was analyzed.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
ExperimentalPlasma HIV RNA Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 1 - Day 81 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalPlasma HIV RNA Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 1 - Day 591 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalPlasma HIV RNA Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 1 - Day 1971 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalPlasma HIV RNA Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 2 - Day 89.9 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalPlasma HIV RNA Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 2 - Day 1514.4 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalPlasma HIV RNA Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 2 - Day 2145.9 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalPlasma HIV RNA Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 2 - Day 3818.3 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalPlasma HIV RNA Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 2 - Day 1965 Fold change from baseline
Other Pre-specified

Cell-associated Integrated HIV DNA Relative to Baseline at Additional Points

This outcome was to measure cell-associated integrated HIV DNA in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells relative to baseline

Time frame: Baseline to Days 38, 59, 197, 196. Data is reported for days where samples were collected for each participant.

Population: All participants who received at least one dose of treatment

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
ExperimentalCell-associated Integrated HIV DNA Relative to Baseline at Additional PointsParticipant 1 - Day 591.47 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalCell-associated Integrated HIV DNA Relative to Baseline at Additional PointsParticipant 1 - Day 1972.52 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalCell-associated Integrated HIV DNA Relative to Baseline at Additional PointsParticipant 2 - Day 380.37 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalCell-associated Integrated HIV DNA Relative to Baseline at Additional PointsParticipant 2 -Day 1961.46 Fold change from baseline
Other Pre-specified

Cell Associated Total HIV DNA Relative to Baseline at Additional Points

This outcome was to measure Cell-associated total and integrated HIV DNA in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells relative to baseline

Time frame: Baseline and Days 38, 59, 196 and 197. Data is reported for days where results are available for each participant.

Population: All participants who received at least one dose of treatment

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
ExperimentalCell Associated Total HIV DNA Relative to Baseline at Additional PointsParticipant 1 - Day 590.7 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalCell Associated Total HIV DNA Relative to Baseline at Additional PointsParticipant 1 - Day 1970.72 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalCell Associated Total HIV DNA Relative to Baseline at Additional PointsParticipant 2 - Day 380.74 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalCell Associated Total HIV DNA Relative to Baseline at Additional PointsParticipant 2 - Day 1961.72 Fold change from baseline
Other Pre-specified

Disulfiram Concentration in Plasma

This outcome was to measure the concentrations of disulfiram (including its metabolites) in plasma

Time frame: Days 8, 11, 22, 25, 28, 56 and 196 Data is reported for days where samples were collected for each participant.

Population: All participants who received at least one dose of treatment.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
ExperimentalDisulfiram Concentration in PlasmaParticipants 1 and 2 - Day 8NA ng/mL
ExperimentalDisulfiram Concentration in PlasmaParticipants 1 and 2 - Day 11NA ng/mL
ExperimentalDisulfiram Concentration in PlasmaParticipant 1 - Day 58NA ng/mL
ExperimentalDisulfiram Concentration in PlasmaParticipant 2 -Day 15NA ng/mL
ExperimentalDisulfiram Concentration in PlasmaParticipant 2 - Day 21NA ng/mL
Other Pre-specified

HIV Levels Relative to Baseline

This outcome was to measure the frequency of inducible virus as measured by Tat/rev limiting dilution assay (TILDA) in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells relative to baseline. Not conducted as part of the analysis and there are no future plans to assess this outcome, as analysis from 2 participants would not provide any meaningful results, given that the participants did not manage to complete the treatment course.

Time frame: Day 56

Population: This primary endpoint was not performed. See outcome measure description for reasoning

Other Pre-specified

HIV RNA Transcription Relative to Baseline at Additional Time Points

This secondary outcome was to measure HIV transcription measured by cell-associated unspliced HIV RNA (CA-US HIV RNA) in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells relative to baseline

Time frame: Baseline to Days 8, 11, 15, 21, 38, 59, 196, 197. Data is reported for days where samples were collected for each participant.

Population: All participants who had received at least 1 dose of treatment

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
ExperimentalHIV RNA Transcription Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 1 - Day 83.33 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalHIV RNA Transcription Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 1 - Day 115.13 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalHIV RNA Transcription Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 1 - Day 594.56 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalHIV RNA Transcription Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 1 - Day 19712.72 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalHIV RNA Transcription Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 2 - Day 81.56 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalHIV RNA Transcription Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 2 - Day 110.91 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalHIV RNA Transcription Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 2 - Day 150.64 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalHIV RNA Transcription Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 2 - Day 210.72 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalHIV RNA Transcription Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 2 - Day 380.41 Fold change from baseline
ExperimentalHIV RNA Transcription Relative to Baseline at Additional Time PointsParticipant 2 - Day 1963.77 Fold change from baseline
Other Pre-specified

p24 Expression in CD4+ T-cells Relative to Baseline

This outcome was to measure the p24 expression in CD4+ T-cells relative to baseline

Time frame: Baseline and Days 8, 11, 15, 21, 37, 58, 196 and 197. Data is reported for days where samples were collected for each participant.

Population: All participants who received at least one dose of treatment.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
Experimentalp24 Expression in CD4+ T-cells Relative to BaselineParticipant 1 - Day 80.83 Fold change from baseline
Experimentalp24 Expression in CD4+ T-cells Relative to BaselineParticipant 1 - Day 110.78 Fold change from baseline
Experimentalp24 Expression in CD4+ T-cells Relative to BaselineParticipant 1 - Day 582.13 Fold change from baseline
Experimentalp24 Expression in CD4+ T-cells Relative to BaselineParticipant 1 - Day 1970.96 Fold change from baseline
Experimentalp24 Expression in CD4+ T-cells Relative to BaselineParticipant 2 - Day 81.96 Fold change from baseline
Experimentalp24 Expression in CD4+ T-cells Relative to BaselineParticipant 2 - Day 110.91 Fold change from baseline
Experimentalp24 Expression in CD4+ T-cells Relative to BaselineParticipant 2 - Day 151.26 Fold change from baseline
Experimentalp24 Expression in CD4+ T-cells Relative to BaselineParticipant 2 - Day 211 Fold change from baseline
Experimentalp24 Expression in CD4+ T-cells Relative to BaselineParticipant 2 - Day 381.09 Fold change from baseline
Experimentalp24 Expression in CD4+ T-cells Relative to BaselineParticipant 2 - Day 1961.39 Fold change from baseline
Other Pre-specified

Vorinostat Concentration in Plasma

This outcome was to measure the concentrations of vorinostat (including its metabolites) in plasma.

Time frame: Baseline and days 8, 11, 15, 21, 37, 58. Data is reported for days where samples were collected for each participant.

Population: All participants who received at least one dose of treatment.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
ExperimentalVorinostat Concentration in PlasmaParticipant 1 - Day 116.52 ng/mL
ExperimentalVorinostat Concentration in PlasmaParticipant - Day 58NA ng/mL
ExperimentalVorinostat Concentration in PlasmaParticipant 2 - BaselineNA ng/mL
ExperimentalVorinostat Concentration in PlasmaParticipant 2 - Day 8NA ng/mL
ExperimentalVorinostat Concentration in PlasmaParticipant 2 - Day 117.6 ng/mL
ExperimentalVorinostat Concentration in PlasmaParticipant 1 - BaselineNA ng/mL
ExperimentalVorinostat Concentration in PlasmaParticipant 1 - Day 8NA ng/mL
ExperimentalVorinostat Concentration in PlasmaParticipant 2 - Day 15NA ng/mL
ExperimentalVorinostat Concentration in PlasmaParticipant 2 - Day 21NA ng/mL
ExperimentalVorinostat Concentration in PlasmaParticipant 2 - Day 38NA ng/mL

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