The 2 nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment July 13-16, 2003; Paris, France Selected and summarized by Douglas J.

The 2nd International AIDS Society Conferenceon HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment

July 13-16, 2003; Paris, France

Selected and summarized by

Douglas J. Ward, MDDupont Circle Physicians Group

Washington, DC

Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from

Highlights of 2nd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment

New Data On:

• Salvage therapy

• Approaches to initial/early therapy

• Complications of antiretroviral therapy

• Preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission

• HIV drug resistance

• New and investigational drugs

Salvage Therapy (1)

Enfuvirtide (ENF) – 48-Week Data

48-week data were presented from the TORO 1 and TORO 2 studies, which enrolled heavily treatment-experienced patients:

• median 12 previous antiretrovirals including all 3 available classes

• median baseline viral load 5.1 log10 copies/mL and CD4+ cell count 92 cells/mcL

 Patients were randomized to receive:• an optimized background antiretroviral regimen (OB) of 3-5 agents

based on genotypic and phenotypic resistance tests (total n = 334), or • OB plus ENF 90 mg twice daily by subcutaneous injection (total n =

661)

24-week data previously presented

Abstract LB2.

Salvage Therapy (1) Continued

Enfuvirtide (ENF) – 48-Week Data The results show that ENF (versus OB only) can be administered safely,

durably and with sustained virologic effects in heavily pretreated patients: • % patients achieving < 400 copies/mL at 48 weeks: 30.4 vs 12 (P < .0001)

• Median time (weeks) to virologic failure: 32 vs 11 (P < .0001) • Local injection-site reactions were observed in > 90% of ENF patients

– Cause of discontinuation in 4.4%

• Increased incidence of bacterial pneumonia observed in the ENF arm (6.6 vs 0.6 events per 100 person-years)– Relationship to ENF unexplained

Abstract LB2.

Salvage Therapy (2)

Enfuvirtide (ENF) – Predictors of Response in TORO 1 & 2 Trials

A separate multiple logistic regression analysis of 24-week data.

Four characteristics were identified that positively influenced response to ENF:

• viral load < 100,000 copies/mL at baseline

• CD4+ cell count > 100 cells/mcL at baseline

• prior experience with < 10 antiretrovirals

• > 2 active agents in the OB

In the presence of all 4 factors, patients had an 80% chance of achieving viral suppression to < 50 copies/mL.

Abstract 116.

Salvage Therapy (3)

Factors Contributing to HAART Success – PLATO Collaboration • 2488 patients from 13 HIV cohorts with viral load > 1000 copies/mL for > 4

months • All had received NRTIs, NNRTIs, and PIs, sequentially or in combination• Baseline: CDC/C, 52%; median CD4+ cell count, 199 cells/mcL; median viral

load (VL), 4.5 log10 copies/mL; median duration ART/ HAART 4.7/2.5 years, respectively

• At 2 years, 17% (95% CI: 15-19) had experienced virologic success (viral load < 500 copies/mL, and remaining < 1000 for > 6 months)

• Independent predictors (Cox regression) of success: more recent calendar year (related to new agents and physician experience), adding 1-2 new drugs

• Negative predictors: being off therapy, time off PIs with VL > 1000  

Abstract 576.

Salvage Therapy (3) ContinuedFactors Contributing to HAART Success

Independent predictors of virologic success Hazard ratio (95% CI)

Calendar year (reference: 1996/1997)

1998

1999

2000+

1.7 (1.1-2.7)

2.6 (1.6-4.1)

6.8 (4.0-11.4)

Being off treatment 0.09 (0.03-0.25)

Adding 1 new PI 3.0 (2.3-3.9)

Adding 2 new PIs simultaneously 4.1 (3.1-5.4)

Adding 1 new NRTI 1.4 (1.1-1.8)

Adding 2 new NRTIs 2.4 (1.5-4.0)

Adding a new NNRTI 1.5 (1.2-2.0)

Baseline viral load (per log10 higher) 0.69 (0.59-0.81)

Ever achieved viral load < 500 until baseline 1.5 (1.2-2.0)

Time on PIs with viral load > 1000 (per year) 0.49 (0.37-0.66)

Abstract 576.

Salvage Therapy (4)

Multi-PI Regimens in Heavily Treatment-Experienced Patients – ATV/r vs ATV+SQV vs LPV/r (BMS 045)

 A randomized, open-label trial comparing:

• once-daily atazanavir (ATV) + ritonavir (r)

• once-daily ATV + saquinavir (SQV)

• twice-daily lopinavir (LPV) + r

Enrolled patients had at least 2 regimen failures, which included drugs from all 3 antiretroviral classes.

Abstract 118.

Salvage Therapy (4) Continued

24-week response to double PIs

ATZ = atazanavir, LPV = lopinavir, r = 100 mg of ritonavir, SQV = saquinavir.

• Virologic efficacy was comparable in all arms. Both ATV groups had

significantly better cholesterol and triglyceride levels after 24 weeks than the group taking

LPV/r.

• Saquinavir dose in ATV/SQV is likely insufficient.

ATZ/r ATV + SQV LPV/r + SQV

n 120 115 123

Mean drop in viral load (log10 copies/mL)

1.86 1.52 1.89

< 400 copies/mL (%) 64 44 62

< 50 copies/mL (%) 39 23 42

CD4+ gain (cells/mcL) 83 59 90

Abstract 118.

Approaches to Initial/Early Therapy (1)

Triple-NRTI Regimens: ACTG 5095 

A randomized, double-blind-label trial enrolling 1147 ART-naive patients:

• Mean baseline viral load: 4.85 log10 copies/mL; mean baseline CD4+ cell

count: 238 cells/mcL

• Patients randomized to Combivir + efavirenz (EFV), Trizivir + EFV, or Trizivir

• Data Safety Monitoring Board stopped Trizivir (alone) arm after 32 weeks due to virologic failure rates

Abstract 41.

Approaches to Initial/Early Therapy (1) Continued

Virologic Failure Rates in ACTG 5095

*Virologic failure defined as confirmed viral load > 200 copies/mL after 16 weeks of treatment.

†P < .001 

• Higher failure rate seen in patients with viral load both < and > 100,000 copies/mL

Regimen Virologic Failure*, n (%)

EFV arms (combined unblinded data) 85 (11)

Trizivir arm 82 (21)†

Abstract 41.

Approaches to Initial/Early Therapy (2)

Triple-NRTI Regimens: 3TC + ABC + TDF Once Daily

• Pilot study of lamivudine (3TC) + abacavir (ABC) + tenofovir (TDF), all given once daily (dosing ABC once daily remains investigational)

• 19 ART-naive patients. Mean baseline CD4+ cell count and viral load were 273 cells/mcL and 82,381 copies/mL, respectively

• 14 of 19 (73.7%) patients experienced virologic failure; 9 of 14 (64.3%) had significant resistance mutations, including 4 with both M184V and K65R

Abstract 43.

Approaches to Initial/Early Therapy (3)

Induction-Maintenance Strategy 

• 448 ART-naive patients; median baseline CD4+ cell count and viral load were 210 cells/mcL and 5.08 log10 copies/mL, respectively

• All patients received induction therapy with Trizivir + efavirenz (EFV) for 48 weeks

• 166 (37%) of patients discontinued, more than half due to adverse events associated with quadruple therapy

• Viral suppression to < 50 copies/mL was achieved in 90% of patients who remained on therapy at 48 weeks

• The 282 patients were randomized 1:1 to continue original regimen or switch to simplified maintenance therapy with Trizivir alone

The investigators will study whether this approach to NRTI-only, “step-down” therapy is practicable.

Abstract 42.

Approaches to Initial/Early Therapy (4)

Treatment Simplification

• Prospective, open-label study of 355 NNRTI-naive patients with sustained virologic suppression (< 400 copies/mL) on a PI-based regimen

• Patients were randomized to continue (C) on their current treatment (usually including either nelfinavir or indinavir) or change to once-daily (OD) efavirenz/didanosine/emtricitabine (FTC), taken as 5 tablets in 1 nighttime administration

• Over 1 year, 36 patients discontinued therapy, equally distributed between the OD and C groups

• Of the remaining patients, 93% in the OD arm and 95% in the C arm maintained virologic suppression

• 45% of OD patients experienced HDL increases > 57.7 mg/dL (1.5 mM), compared with 18% of patients receiving PI-based therapy

Abstract 37.

Approaches to Initial/Early Therapy (5)

Alternating Therapy (SWATCH Study)

 The SWATCH study was designed to evaluate whether the development of resistance can be delayed by proactively switching ARV regimens.

• 161 patients were randomized to receive stavudine (d4T) + didanosine (ddI) + efavirenz (EFV) or zidovudine (ZDV) + lamivudine (3TV) + nelfinavir (NFV), or were assigned to alternate between the 2 regimens every 3 months (regimens A, B and C, respectively)

• Baseline CD4+ cell counts and plasma viral loads were comparable in all arms

• Data from A and B arms pooled for analysis vs arm C

Abstract LB5.

Approaches to Initial/Early Therapy (5) Continued

Alternating Therapy (SWATCH Study)

• At 48 weeks, there was no difference between arms in CD4+ cell count increases, adverse events, or adherence

• There was a significantly lower rate of virologic failure and development of resistance-associated mutations among patients receiving regimen C compared with patients receiving regimens A or B:

– Rate of virologic failure (HIV RNA > 400 copies/mL) was 1.2 vs 4.8 events/1000 person-weeks (P = .01)

– Of 15 cases of virologic breakthrough in the pooled A and B treatment arms, 12 (79%) exhibited evidence of drug resistance

– No (0%) cases of virologic breakthrough in the C treatment arm showed any evidence of drug resistance

Abstract LB5.

Complications of ARV Therapy (1)

Incidence/Risk Factors for Severe Adverse Events (SAEs) on PIs 

• Multicenter cohort of 1155 patients started on PIs between May 1997 and June 1998; median follow-up 23 months (2037 patient-years)

• Grade 3-4 events (except lipodystrophy) prospectively reported; validated by 2 experts

• 550 SAEs reported; 235 and 169 related to ART and PI, respectively

• 20% occurred in first 1 month of therapy; 51% in first 4 months

Abstract 56.

Complications of ARV Therapy (1) Continued

Risk Factors for SAEs on PIs

*Multivariate proportional hazard model

Factor resulting in risk for SAE Hazard ratio* (95% CI) P value

Creatine clearance < 70 mL/min 2.11 (1.21-3.67) .007

Increased ASAT (per 100 UI/L) 1.6 (1.31-1.96) .0001

Hepatitis B and/or C coinfection 2.56 (1.76-3.72) .0001

HIV RNA > 100,000 copies/mL 1.54 (1.06-2.25) .03

Indinavir initiation at baseline 1.69 (1.16-2.44) .008

Abstract 56.

Complications of ARV Therapy (2)

Baseline Predictors of Change in Body Fat at 48 Weeks After Switching d4T ABC or AZT (TARHEEL Study)

• Patients with viral load < 400; stavudine (d4T)-containing ART for > 6 months; with lipoatrophy, hyperlactatemia, or both

• d4T switched to abacavir (ABC) (n = 86) or zidovudine (ZDV) (n = 32); DEXA/CT assessed in body fat

Changes in Body Fat Distribution (results by DEXA)

In multivariate logistic regression analysis:• Decrease in visceral abdominal fat (CT) associated with baseline lactate, visceral fat• Increase in subcutaneous abdominal fat (CT) associated with baseline BMI

Body area Body Fat , g (%)

Arms 239 (35.3%)

Legs 269 (12%)

Trunk 859 (16.4%)

Abstract 51.

Adverse Events of ARV Therapy (3)

Rosiglitazone for Patients With Hyperinsulinemia and Lipoatrophy

• Patients with lipoatrophy and hyperinsulinemia

• First 3 months: patients randomized to rosiglitazone 4 mg/d or placebo

• Next 3 months (open-label): all patients received rosiglitazone 8 mg/d

• Insulin markers primary study end point

Abstract 50.

Adverse Events of ARV Therapy (3) Continued

Changes in Markers of Hyperinsulinemia and Lipoatrophy

*P < .02

• Significant self-reported improvement in lipoatrophy, even during blinded phase of trial

• During open-label period, insulin sensitivity among rosiglitazone-treated patients continued to show improvement (P = .01), as did SAT

Measure Rosiglitazone, 4 mg Placebo

Change in glucose utilization, mg glucose/kg LBM per minute

+1.7 -0.4*

Change in total cholesterol, mg/dL +25 -16

Change in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), % +15 <1

Abstract 50.

Preventing Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission

The SIMBA (Stopping Infection from Mother-to-child via Breastfeeding in Africa) Trial

• HIV-infected pregnant women received zidovudine (ZDV) +didanosine (ddI) from the 36th week of gestation until 1 week after delivery

• 397 infants were randomized to receive once-daily lamivudine (3TC) or nevirapine (NVP) until 1 month after breastfeeding was stopped; breast milk was the only source of nutrition to the infant

• Overall, there were 30 cases of HIV infection (7.6% transmission); 24 cases resulted from intrauterine transmission; 3 cases were probably due to transmission during delivery

• Of the remaining 370 infants at risk of becoming infected, only 3 (0.8%) became HIV-positive

• Both 3TC and NVP were equally effective

• No significant drug-related toxicity was observed

Abstract LB7.

HIV Drug Resistance

Primary Drug Resistance – The CATCH Study

• The CATCH study evaluated the rate of primary drug resistance in a number of European countries and Israel

• Isolates from over 1600 patients were genotyped

• Overall rate of genotypic resistance was 9.6%

• NRTIs had the highest rate (6.7%), followed by NNRTIs (2.6%) and PIs (2.2%)

• 1.7% of isolates demonstrated multiclass resistance

• The most common mutations are significant in conferring reduced susceptibility to agents such as:

– Zidovudine and stavudine (M41V, T215F/Y)

– NNRTIs (K103N)

– PIs (M46I, G48V, I84V)

• A higher rate of primary resistance was observed in subtype B vs non-B isolates (11.3% vs 3.3%, P < .001)

Abstract LB1.

Data on Selected New and Investigational Agents

Agent/Stage of Development

Drug Class

Abstract No.

Comment

SPD754 (Phase I/II)

NRTI LB15 All of 4 doses (400-1600 mg) were well tolerated, and produced mean reductions in viral load of up to 1.65 log. Has potent activity against isolates with most of the common NRTI resistance mutations except for Q151M.

GW433908 (908), Phase 3

PI 558 48-week studies: 908/RTV (1400 mg/200 mg QD + NRTIs, n = 322): No APV-associated mutations detected. PI & 3TC resistance significantly in 908/RTV arm compared with NFV arm.

Atazanavir (Reyataz), FDA licensed

PI LB13 Metabolic substudy of the pivotal BMS-043 trial demonstrated no significant differences in body fat distribution vs efavirenz.

Data on Selected New and Investigational Agents (continued)

Agent/Stage of Development

Drug Class

Abstract No.

Comment

Atazanavir (Reyataz), FDA licensed

PI 543 48-week results of patients who had switched from a BID PI-based regimen to a QD regimen of ATV/3TC/d4T XR. 22 subjects were well suppressed prior to switching. 18 patients completed 1 year of QD therapy. Virologic suppression was maintained, mean CD4+ cell counts increased by 86 cells/mcL and lipid profiles improved. No acceleration in decay of cells harboring proviral DNA was observed, however.

Tipranavir , Phase 3

PI 9 This study calculated the inhibitory quotients (IQs) of the TPV/r combination in patients with previous experience with all 3 ARV classes. Patients with IQ of > 50 had reduced virologic response. 67% of patients reached IQ> 50.

TMC114, Phase 2

PI LB16  50 patients on a failing PI regimen substituted TMC114 at 1 of 3 doses along with low-dose (100 mg) ritonavir. After 14 days, the median reduction in viral load was 1.13-1.5 log. Gastrointestinal upset was the most common side effect. A small number of patients had AST elevations.