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NCT Number: NCT03991013

Tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir Combination as Second-line ART: a Randomised Controlled Trial

The strategy to support virological suppression on second-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) includes the provision of ART that has a low pill burden, good tolerability, low toxicity, is easily monitored, has a high barrier to resistance, and that is low cost. The fixed-dose combination of tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir offers significant advantage as a potential second-line regimen compared to the World Health Organization standard of care second-line regimen of zidovudine-lamivudine-dolutegravir, in terms of cost, tolerability and monitoring requirements.

The ARTIST study is a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aiming to determine the proportion of patients achieving virological suppression when recycling the tenofovir-emtricitabine/lamivudine backbone with dolutegravir (tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir fixed-dose combination) as a second-line with and without a lead-in supplementary dose of dolutegravir, in patients failing a tenofovir-emtricitabine/lamivudine-efavirenz first-line regimen.

There is evidence to suggest that even in the presence of resistance mutations to tenofovir and lamivudine (K65R or M184V/I), using this backbone with dolutegravir will provide an effective second-line regimen in patients who have failed a first-line regimen of tenofovir-emtricitabine/lamivudine-efavirenz. The strategy of giving a lead-in supplementary dose of dolutegravir is in view of the inducing effect of efavirenz on dolutegravir metabolism and transport that persists for 2 weeks after efavirenz is stopped; the inducing effect decreases with time after efavirenz is stopped.

Given that these patients will have elevated viral loads, a high baseline risk of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) resistance and efavirenz resistance, and the inducing effect of efavirenz on dolutegravir metabolism and transport that persists for 2 weeks, this study will comprise two stages. The first stage will evaluate virological suppression in 62 participants initiated on the fixed-dose combination of tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir with a lead-in supplementary dose of dolutegravir for the first 14 days. The study will progress to the second stage if this strategy proves effective, and 130 participants will then be randomised to receive the fixed-dose combination of tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir with and without this lead-in dose.

The primary endpoint is virological suppression (viral load <50 copies/mL) at 24 weeks.

A pharmacokinetic sub-study will be conducted on 12 participants in stage 1 and 24 participants in stage 2, to assess the trough concentrations of dolutegravir and off-treatment concentrations of efavirenz at day 3, 7, 14, and 28. This is to evaluate the need for the lead-in supplementary dose of dolutegravir.

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Key information

Conditions

HIV Infections Blood-Borne Infections Communicable Diseases Genital Diseases Immune System Diseases Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes Infections Lentivirus Infections RNA Virus Infections Retroviridae Infections Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral Urogenital Diseases Virus Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Khayelitsha Site B/Ubuntu Community Health Clinic

Cape Town, Western Cape, 8001, South Africa

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

HIV positive patients over 18 years old, who have failed first-line ART regimen of tenofovir-emtricitabine/lamivudine-efavirenz, are able to attend the study clinic for one year of scheduled visits and who have given written, informed consent will be enrolled in this study. In female patients of child-bearing potential, those willing to use effective and reliable contraception for the duration of the study will be eligible.

Failure of a first-line regimen is defined as a viral load (VL) of >1000 copies/mL (within the previous two months) and an immediately prior VL >1000 copies/mL, taken 2-24 months prior (based on data captured by National Health Laboratory Service).

Exclusion criteria

  • If the patient has two VLs 2-3 months apart: >2 log drop in VLs between the most recent VL (within the previous two months) and the immediately prior VL (taken 2-3 months prior)
  • CD4 count <100 cells/microlitre
  • Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <50 mL/min/1.73 m2 using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula
  • Alanine aminotransferase >100 U/L or total bilirubin >twice the upper limit of normal
  • Pregnant or desire to become pregnant during the study period (48 weeks)
  • Breastfeeding
  • Being treated for active tuberculosis (TB) or concern that patient has undiagnosed active TB (based on symptom screening) as rifampicin reduces the concentrations of dolutegravir and thus requires dose adjustments
  • Any current diagnosis of malignancy
  • Allergy or intolerance to one of the drugs in regimen
  • Active, severe psychiatric disease judged likely to impact adherence
  • Current substance abuse judged likely to impact adherence
  • On treatment for AIDS-defining condition (not including secondary prophylaxis maintenance therapy)
  • Any other clinical condition that in the opinion of an investigator puts the patient at increased risk if participating in the study

Treatment and study plan

Dolutegravir 50 mg

Drug

Tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir fixed-dose combination tablet with a lead-in supplementary dose of 50 mg dolutegravir taken 12 hours later for the first 14 days, with continuation of tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir for the duration of the study (48 weeks).

Other names: Dalimune 50 mg

Placebo

Drug

Tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir fixed-dose combination tablet with a matching placebo taken 12 hours later for the first 14 days, with continuation of tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir for the duration of the study (48 weeks).

Primary outcomes

  1. Virological Suppression at 24 Weeks

    Time frame: 24 weeks

    Proportion of participants with HIV viral load <50 copies/mL at 24 weeks analysed by modified intention to treat (ITT) and according to the FDA snapshot algorithm

Secondary outcomes

  1. Virological Suppression at 24 Weeks (Sensitivity Analysis)

    Time frame: 24 weeks

    Proportion of participants with HIV viral load <50 copies/mL at 24 weeks using pre-specified sensitivity analyses

  2. Virological Suppression at 12 Weeks (Modified ITT)

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Proportion of participants with HIV viral load <50 copies/mL at 12 weeks analysed by modified ITT.

  3. Antiretroviral Resistance Mutations by Genotypic Resistance Testing

    Time frame: 24 weeks

    To describe dolutegravir resistance or emergent resistance mutations to tenofovir or lamivudine in participants eligible for genotypic resistance testing by 24 weeks

  4. CD4 Change at 24 Weeks

    Time frame: 24 weeks

    Change in CD4 count from screening to week 24

  5. Adverse Events

    Time frame: 24 weeks

    To describe grade 3 or 4 adverse events and serious adverse events

  6. All-cause Mortality

    Time frame: 24 weeks

    To describe all-cause mortality.

  7. Adherence to Treatment

    Time frame: 24 weeks

    To describe tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP) concentrations (ng/mL) at 24 weeks

  8. Geometric Mean Ratio (GMR) of Dolutegravir Trough Concentrations on Day 7 Versus Day 28

    Time frame: First 28 days

    To evaluate the geometric mean ratio (GMR) of dolutegravir trough concentrations on day 7 versus day 28

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Cape Town

Other

Collaborators

  • Médecins Sans Frontières, Belgium
  • Wellcome Trust

Registry information

Official study title

AntiRetroviral Therapy In Second-line: Investigating Tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir (ARTIST): a Randomised Controlled Trial

Acronym: ARTIST

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Jun 19, 2019
Registry last updated
Oct 1, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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