Comparative Study of Three NNRTI-Sparing HAART Regimens

Of the five anti-HIV drug classes, four were recommended as first-line regimens for patients who have never received anti-HIV treatment before (treatment naive): nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), Integrase Inhibitors (INIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) guidelines recommend that treatment-naive HIV infected patients be treated with a triple drug regimen that includes 2 NRTIs + 1 NNRTI, 2 NRTIs + INI, or 2 NRTIs + 1 PI as their initial treatment regimen.

According to data, an efavirenz (EFV)-containing regimen (2 NRTIs + 1 NNRTI, with EFVas the NNRTI) requires fewer pills for the patient, has mild and few side effects, and is more effective in reducing viral load than other regimens, making it the preferred choice for most patients. However, for some patients, an EFV-containing regimen is not feasible due to side effects, acquired NNRTI-resistant HIV virus, or other undesirable effects. For these patients, it is necessary to find alternative regimens with comparable safety and efficacy. This study examined how well different combinations of anti-HIV drugs work, including safety and drug tolerability for various combinations.

This was a phase III, prospective, randomized study. Participants was randomly assigned to one of three different groups (treatment arms)-A, B, or C -each representing a different drug combination regimen, none of which contained an NNRTI.

Arm A: Atazanavir (ATV) + Ritonavir (RTV) + Emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF)

Arm B: Raltegravir (RAL) + FTC/TDF

Arm C: Darunavir (DRV) + RTV + FTC/TDF

The duration of this study was between 96 and 192 weeks, depending on when the participant enrolled. There were a total of 1,809 participants, approximately 600 per treatment arm. Screening and pre-entry evaluations must occur prior to the participant starting any study medication, treatments, or interventions. Participants were randomly assigned to their treatment groups at the entry visit and must begin treatment within 72 hours of randomization. Participants was told which group they were in and what medications they were administered. The study drugs were distributed at entry. All drugs were provided by the study with the exception of RTV, which would have to be obtained through the participant's primary care physician (Group A or C). If a participant was unable to tolerate any of the study medications during the course of the study then their doctor could switch them to another regimen.

During the study, participants was asked to return to the clinic at Weeks 4, 8, 16, 24, 36, and 48 and then every 16 weeks until the end of the study. They were also contacted by telephone during Week 2 to check on their status. Visits were last about 1 hour. At most visits, participants had a physical exam and answered questions about any medications they were taken. Additionally, participants completed questionnaires addressing their smoking and alcohol habits, had blood drawn, and were asked to give urine samples. At some visits, participants had to come to the clinic without having eaten for 8 hours. If the participant was female and able to become pregnant, a pregnancy test might be given at any visit if pregnancy was suspected.

Some participants of A5257 were asked to participate in an optional metabolic substudy A5260s. This substudy took place at only some study sites and continued last up to 144 weeks, including time on A5257. The primary focus of this substudy was to examine carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) as it relates to both RTV- and RAL-containing regimens. Randomization, stratification, treatment assignments, and study visits were as per A5257.

Inclusion criteria

• HIV-1 infected
• No evidence of any exclusionary mutations defined as any major NRTI or PI resistance-associated mutation on any genotype or evidence of significant NRTI or PI resistance on any phenotype performed at any time prior to study entry. NNRTI-associated resistance mutations are not excluded. More information on this criterion can be found in the study protocol.
• No prior anti-HIV therapy. More information on this criterion can be found in the study protocol.
• Viral load is 1000 copies/mL or higher, as measured within 90 days prior to study entry
• Certain laboratory values obtained within 60 days prior to study entry
• Ability to obtain RTV by prescription
• Completed cardiovascular risk assessment. More information on this criterion can be found in the study protocol.
• Must agree to use acceptable forms of contraception while receiving study drugs and for 6 weeks after stopping the medications. More information on this criterion is available in the protocol.
• Negative pregnancy test within 72 hours before initiating antiretroviral medication
• Participating in research at any AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) clinical research site or select International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) group sites
• Ability and willingness of subject or legal guardian/representative to give written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Use of immunomodulators, HIV vaccine, systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy, or investigational therapy within 30 days prior to study entry. Those using stable physiologic glucocorticoid doses, a short course of pharmacologic glucocorticoid, corticosteroids for acute therapy treating an opportunistic infection, inhaled or topical corticosteroids, or granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) will not be excluded.
• Known allergy or sensitivity to study drugs or their ingredients. A history of sulfa allergy is not excluded.
• Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the participant's ability to participate in the study
• Serious illness requiring systemic treatment and/or hospitalization until participant either completes therapy or is clinically stable on therapy, in the opinion of the investigator, for at least 7 days prior to study entry
• Requirement for any current medications that are prohibited with any study drugs
• Current imprisonment or involuntary incarceration in a medical facility for psychiatric or physical illness
• Any prior use of entecavir for treatment of hepatitis B for greater than 8 weeks while the participant was known to be HIV infected
• Presence of decompensated cirrhosis
• Pregnant or breastfeeding