Effectiveness of Palifermin in Increasing CD4 Counts in Treatment-Experienced HIV Infected Adults

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically improved the clinical outcome for HIV infected adults; however, some people on potent ART experience poor recovery of CD4 counts despite maximum suppression of viral load. Such uncontrolled HIV infection is associated with the reduced ability by the human body to create new T cells (or thymopoiesis). HIV infected adults experiencing reduced thymopoiesis are at increased risk of clinical disease progression.

The thymus is the primary site for CD4 cell development; research suggests that keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) may enhance thymus activity in individuals who exhibit reduced thymopoiesis. Palifermin is a modified version of the naturally occurring KGF that is approved to treat people with hematologic malignancies. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of palifermin in increasing CD4 counts, through enhanced thymopoiesis, in treatment-experienced HIV infected adults with suppressed viral loads but low CD4 counts.

This study will last 24 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four arms:

• Arm A participants will receive placebo
• Arm B participants will receive palifermin 20 mcg/kg
• Arm C participants will receive palifermin 40 mcg/kg
• Arm D participants will receive palifermin 60 mcg/kg

Participants will receive intravenous doses of their assigned intervention on Days 1, 2, and 3. All participants must remain on their current ART regimen for the duration of the study. ART will not be provided by the study. There will be six study visits, and they will occur at Weeks 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24. All visits will include a targeted physical exam and blood and urine collection.

Inclusion criteria

• HIV infected
• Receiving potent ART, defined as a combination of three or more antiretroviral drugs for at least 6 months prior to study entry
• CD4 count of 200 cells/mm3 or less within 30 days prior to study entry
• Documented CD4 count obtained at study screening
• Documented current, persistent viral load less than or equal to 200 copies/ml for at least 6 months prior to study entry
• Willing to use acceptable forms of contraception for the duration of the study

Exclusion criteria

• Active pancreatitis
• Androgens, Immunomodulators (e.g., growth factors, systemic corticosteroids, HIV vaccines, immune globulin, interleukins, interferons), or investigational ART within 30 days prior to study entry
• Systemic cancer chemotherapy within 30 days prior to study entry, or history of radiation therapy to the neck and chest regions at any time.
• Allergy or sensitivity to any component of palifermin
• Prior treatment with palifermin or other keratinocyte growth factors
• Current drug or alcohol use that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with study participation
• Serious illness or recent surgery that requires systemic treatment or hospitalization. Participants who have completed therapy or are clinically stable on therapy for at least 30 days prior to study entry are not excluded.
• Active cancer
• HIV-1 RNA levels >200 copies/mL within 6 months prior to study entry
• Pregnant or breastfeeding