Hepatic Safety of Raltegravir Versus Efavirenz as HIV Therapy for Patients With HIV and HCV Coinfection

The trial will recruit 80 treatment-naive HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C coinfection from two HIV treatment centers in Vietnam. Patients will be randomized to receive either raltegravir or efavirenz, both in combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine, as first-line HIV therapy over a period of 72 weeks. The primary endpoint is the rate of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation during the 72 week study period. Secondary endpoints include rates of virological suppression, CD4 count change, numbers of AIDS events and death, rates of fasting glucose and cholesterol measures, neurocognitive function and levels of immune activation. Patients will be followed monthly for the first 3 months and every 3 months thereafter. At the end of the trial period, patients will be transferred to the National HIV treatment program for continuation of HIV therapy.

Inclusion criteria

• HIV infected patients, age >18 years, meet Vietnam guideline to begin ART (CD4 count < 350 cells/mm3 and/or WHO stage III or IV disease)
• Hepatitis C infection as documented by positive HCV antibodies and a detectable serum HCV RNA level
• AST and ALT ≤ 2 x ULN (≤ 80 U/L)
• Estimated creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min

Exclusion criteria

• Any prior ART
• Positive Hepatitis B surface antigen
• Clinical evidence of de-compensated cirrhosis (ascites, encephalopathy, esophageal bleeding)
• Requirement for acute therapy for other AIDS-defining illness within 14 days prior to study entry
• Currently on rifampicin therapy
• In the first trimester of pregnancy, intent to become pregnant, or breast feeding during the study period