Lowering cholesterol and artery inflammation with bempedoic acid for people with HIV
Cholesterol and inflammation Lowering via BEmpedoic Acid, an ACL-inhibiting Regimen in HIV Trial (CLEAR HIV Trial)
This study tests whether adding bempedoic acid to usual care can reduce 'bad' cholesterol and artery inflammation in people living with HIV who are 40 or older with heart disease or at least one heart-risk factor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176716 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be randomly assigned to take bempedoic acid or a placebo in addition to your usual HIV and heart-risk treatments. Researchers will use FDG-PET/CT scans to measure artery inflammation and will collect blood tests to track LDL cholesterol, inflammatory markers, and blood sugar changes. The trial enrolls people living with HIV who are at least 40 years old and have known cardiovascular disease or one cardiovascular risk factor. Visits and imaging will occur at the study site over the study period to monitor safety and effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV aged 40 or older who are on effective antiretroviral therapy and have established cardiovascular disease or at least one cardiovascular risk factor are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People younger than 40, not on stable HIV treatment, without cardiovascular disease or risk factors, or those with contraindications to bempedoic acid are unlikely to benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the drug could lower LDL cholesterol and artery inflammation and may improve blood sugar and adiposity, helping reduce heart attack and stroke risk in people with HIV.
How similar studies have performed: Bempedoic acid is already FDA-approved and has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and inflammatory markers in other populations, but testing its effect on artery inflammation specifically in people with HIV is new.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hsue, Priscilla Y. — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Hsue, Priscilla Y.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.