NIH Clinical Research Studies

Protocol Number: 01-I-0225

Active Accrual, Protocols Recruiting New Patients

Title:
An Omnibus Proleukin (IL-2) Trial in HIV-Infected Patients Including Interrupted Versus Continuous Antiretrovirals (OPTICA): A Substudy of Interrupted Versus Continuous Antiretrovirals Involving Randomization From the Umbrella Study (ICARUS)
Number:
01-I-0225
Summary:
This study, known as OPTICA, is an umbrella protocol for several ongoing NIH studies of IL-2 therapy in HIV-1 infection. Some HIV-infected patients have a higher increase in CD4+ lymphocytes after taking IL-2 than if they were taking antiretroviral drugs alone. The current study will continue to examine the possible role of this drug in helping protect against HIV damage to the immune system or restoring lost immune function. OPTICA's purpose is to consolidate the earlier trials, placing patients into a single, more uniform schedule of clinic visits and to standardize rules governing when IL-2 cycles should be given and when CD4 counts and viral loads should be re-checked.

HIV-infected patients who are currently enrolled in a NIAID/CCMD trial offering IL-2 treatment and who wish to continue their participation in this research are eligible for this study. In addition, patients 21 years of age or older who are not currently enrolled in a trial but who are of unique research interest may be eligible.

The current study requires that patients taking IL-2 must also take antiretroviral medications at least during their IL-2 cycles. Patients will be encouraged to continue taking antiretroviral drugs throughout the study, but will only be required to do so during a 10-day period around each IL-2 cycle (e.g., 3 days before, 5 days during, and 2 days after IL-2 administration). Patients will be monitored periodically with blood tests to measure viral load and lymphocyte counts and routine laboratory tests for safety. In addition, they may be asked to undergo leukapheresis, a procedure for collecting large numbers of white cells for special virologic and immunologic research tests. IL-2 will be given twice a day subcutaneously (under the skin) instead of intravenously (through a vein), on an outpatient basis, unless safety or effectiveness is compromised. Patients who qualify for home administration of IL-2 will be excluded from the outpatient requirement.

Patients with CD4 counts above 500 cells/microliter may be asked to participate in an OPTICA sub-study for determining if IL-2 therapy can preserve CD4 counts at a high enough level to allow patients to interrupt antiretroviral treatment for several months at a time. It would compare patients who remain on continuous antiretroviral therapy with those whose therapy is interrupted.

The number and frequency of patients' IL-2 cycles and the schedule of follow-up clinic visits will be based on the individual's response to therapy and need for blood tests. In general, patients who have received IL-2 for less than 1 year will be asked to return monthly; those who have been doing well on therapy for more than a year may return no more than every 2 months, and those who are particularly stable may be scheduled as infrequently as every 4 to 6 months. The study duration is open-ended, with each participant's case reviewed periodically to determine if it is safe and reasonable to remain on the protocol.

Sponsoring Institute:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Recruitment Detail
Type: Participants currently recruited/enrolled
Gender: Male & Female
Referral Letter Required: No
Population Exclusion(s): Children

Eligibility Criteria:
OPTICA - INCLUSION CRITERIA: For patients new to IL-2 therapy who are not rolling over from participation in an earlier NIAID/CCMD IL-2 trial.

Documentation of HIV-1 infection by any licensed ELISA test kit and confirmed by a second method (e.g., Western Blot); or by HIV culture, plasma HIV RNA, or proviral HIV DNA.

Absolute CD4+ cell count: there is not a minimum CD4+ cell entry criterion.

Viral Load: there is no viral load restriction upon study entry.

Age greater than or equal to 18 years.

Patients must be of unique immunologic interest or are being recruited to address a research question requiring patients not presently or previously treated with IL-2.

The following laboratory values must be met within 30 days prior to entry:

a. AST no more than 5 X the upper limit of normal (ULN).

b. Total or direct bilirubin no more than 2 X ULN unless there is a pattern consistent with Gilbert's syndrome or the patient is receiving indinavir or atazanavir.

c. Serum creatinine no more than 2.0 mg/dL.

d. Hct greater than or equal to 30.0%.

e. Platelet count greater than or equal to 50,000/mm(3).

Willing to take combination ARV medication at least within a 10-day period surrounding each IL-2 cycle unless or until the protocol is modified to permit IL-2 therapy in the absence of any ARV coverage.

Able to provide written informed consent.

Because the impact of IL-2 on fertility and/or offspring is unknown, all patients, both male and female, must be willing to practice effective birth control at least during a 10-day period surrounding each IL-2 cycle while in the study.

Cycle frequency: There is no minimum requirement for IL-2 cycle frequency. However, a reasonable expectation should exist that IL-2-treated patients will remain willing to accept additional IL-2 therapy when needed.

OPTICA - EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

A history of gross noncompliance with prior NIAID/CCMD protocol requirements that, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, is likely to seriously compromise the safety or value of an individual's participation in the present protocol.

Any organic CNS abnormality that requires treatment with anti-seizure medication.

Current or historical Crohn's disease, psoriasis, or other autoimmune/inflammatory diseases with potentially life threatening complications.

Significant cardiac, pulmonary, kidney, rheumatologic, gastrointestinal, or CNS disease as detectable on routine history, physical examination, or screening laboratory studies that, in the judgment of the Principle Investigator, may pose an unacceptable risk during subsequent IL-2 therapy.

Psychiatric illness that, in the judgement of the Principal Investigator, might interfere with study compliance or poses a significant risk for exacerbation during subsequent IL-2 therapy.

Recent or active substance abuse that may interfere with protocol compliance or compromise patient safety.

Refusal to practice safer sex or use precautions against pregnancy (effective birth control or abstinence) during cycling.

Refusal to follow Clinical Center policy on partner notification.

History of optic neuritis.

Refusal to permit extra research blood specimens to be stored (frozen) for potential use in the future study of HIV-1 infection or the immune system.

ICARUS - INCLUSION CRITERIA: For patients who are rolling over from participation in an earlier NIAID/CCMD IL-2 trial

Prior documentation of HIV-1 infection by any licensed ELISA test kit and confirmed by a second method (e.g., Western Blot); or by HIV culture, plasma HIV RNA, or proviral HIV DNA.

Absolute CD4+ count: there is not a minimum CD4+ cel entry criterion.

Viral load: there is no viral load restriction upon study entry.

Age at least 18 years.

Current participation, and presently in good standing, in an NIAID/CCMD protocol involving the use of IL-2 in the treatment of HIV-1 infection.

If eligibilble for IL-2 therapy, willing to take combination ARV medication at least within a 10-day period surrounding each IL-2 cycle unless or until the protocol is modified to permit IL-2 therapy in the absence of any ARV coverage.

Able to provide written informed consent.

Both male and females must be willing to practice effective birth control at least during a 10-day period surrounding each IL-2 cycle while in the study.

Cycle frequency: There is no minimum requirement for IL-2 cycle frequency.

ICARUS - EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

A history of gross noncompliance with prior NIAID/CCMD protocol requirements that, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, is likely to seriously compromise the safety or value of an individual's participation in the present protocol.

Any organic CNS abnormality that requires treatment with anti-seizure medication.

Unless previously exempted for this requirement, current or historical Crohn's disease, psoriasis, or other autoimmune/inflammatory diseases with potentially life-threatening complications.

Recent or active substance abuse that may interfere with protocol compliance or compromise patient safety.

Refusal to practice safer sex or use precautions against pregnancy (effective birth control or abstinence) during cycling.

Refusal to follow Clinical Center policy on partner notification.

History of optic neuritis.

Refusal to permit extra research blood specimens to be stored (frozen) for potential use in the future study of HIV-1 infection or the immune system.

Special Instructions:
Currently Not Provided
Keywords:
Immune Based
Cytokine
AIDS
Antiretroviral
Recruitment Keyword(s):
HIV
AIDS
IL-2
Condition(s):
AIDS
Investigational Drug(s):
Interleukin 2
Investigational Device(s):
None
Intervention(s):
Drug: Interleukin 2
Supporting Site:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Contact(s):
Patient Recruitment and Public Liaison Office
Building 61
10 Cloister Court
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4754
Toll Free: 1-800-411-1222
TTY: 301-594-9774 (local),1-866-411-1010 (toll free)
Fax: 301-480-9793

Electronic Mail:prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov

Citation(s):
HIV infection induces changes in CD4+ T-cell phenotype and depletions within the CD4+ T-cell repertoire that are not immediately restored by antiviral or immune-based therapies

Effect of interleukin-2 on the pool of latently infected, resting CD4+ T cells in HIV-1-infected patients receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy

Controlled trial of interleukin-2 infusions in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

Active Accrual, Protocols Recruiting New Patients

If you have:


Command Menu Bar

Search The Studies | Help | Questions |
Clinical Center Home | NIH Home


Clinical Center LogoNational Institutes of Health Clinical Center Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 01/30/2009
Search The Studies Help Questions