Combining immune-enhancing antibodies and vaccines to control HIV after early infection

RV630 - Approach to Control HIV With Immune Enhancement and Vaccination (ACHIEV): Safety and Efficacy of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Combined With Therapeutic Vaccination for the Induction of HIV Remission

This test will see if giving long-acting HIV antibodies together with therapeutic vaccines helps people who began ART during acute HIV infection control viral levels after a planned treatment interruption.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 48 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 60 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Pathum Wan, Bangkok)
• Trial ID: NCT06484335 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a Phase 1, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial testing the safety of two long-acting broadly neutralizing antibodies (VRC07-523LS and PGDM1400LS) given with a prime-boost therapeutic vaccine regimen (ChAdOx1.tHIVconsv1, ChAdOx1.HIVconsv62, MVA.tHIVconsv4, and A244d11gp120/ALFQ). The study enrolls up to 40 adults already in the RV254/WRAIR cohort who started ART during Fiebig I–V acute infection, have been virally suppressed (<50 copies/mL) for at least 48 weeks, and meet other immune and viral-susceptibility criteria; up to 8 additional participants newly diagnosed in acute infection may be enrolled for exploratory objectives. Participants are randomized 1:1 to active or comparator arms and remain blinded to assignment, then undergo a monitored analytic treatment interruption to measure the viral load setpoint and safety outcomes. The primary focus is safety, with exploratory analyses of time to viral rebound and effects on viral setpoint after stopping ART.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are Thai adults (18–60) who began ART during acute HIV (Fiebig I–V), have had plasma HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL for at least 48 weeks on an integrase-inhibitor regimen, meet CD4 and viral-susceptibility criteria, and can provide informed consent in Thai.

Not a fit: People who started ART during chronic infection, have unsuppressed viral loads, low CD4 counts, viral resistance to the study antibodies, or who cannot safely interrupt ART are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could allow some people treated very early to maintain lower viral levels or longer periods off ART, reducing medication burden and side effects.

How similar studies have performed: Related trials combining broadly neutralizing antibodies and therapeutic vaccines have delayed viral rebound and lowered setpoint in some participants, but durable, ART-free control has remained uncommon to date.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion/Exclusion Step 1 Inclusion Criteria (Groups 1 and 2 only)

Participants are eligible to be included in the protocol Step 1 only if all of the following criteria are met:

1. Thai National
2. Age ≥18 and ≤60 years of age
3. Can read and write Thai
4. Able and willing to provide written informed consent
5. Confirmed HIV-1 infection (nucleic acid testing \[NAT\] and/or HIV-1 serology positive with confirmatory quantitative HIV-1 viral load) and started ART during acute infection
6. Uninterrupted treatment with ART (no interruption of ART for ≥7 consecutive days or longer) since ART initiation, for ≥ 48 weeks.
7. Currently on integrase inhibitor-based ART regimen (excluding long-acting injectable regimens) and no recent (≤8 weeks prior to screening) changes to ART regimen.

   a. There must be at least one documented plasma HIV-1 RNA \<50 cps/mL after the last ART change prior to screening
8. Must be medically stable as confirmed by medical history, physical examination, vital signs, and clinical laboratory tests performed at screening, and as per the Investigator's discretion.

   a. If the results of the screening laboratory panel are outside the normal reference ranges, the participant may be included only if the Investigator judges the abnormalities or deviations from normal to be not clinically significant or to be appropriate and reasonable for the population under study after discussion with the Sponsor's Representative.
9. The following laboratory values at screening:

   1. CD4 T-cell count ≥400 cells/mm3
   2. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ˃1,000/mm3
   3. Hemoglobin \>11.5 g/dL
   4. Platelet count ˃150,000/mm3
   5. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 mL/min/1.73m2 using the re-expressed MDRD equation with Thai racial factor or the CKD-EPI Cystatin C equation.
   6. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), and total bilirubin ≤1.5 x the upper limit of normal (ULN)
   7. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody negative or HCV RNA negative.
10. HIV-1 RNA \<50 copies/ml for ≥48 weeks at screening.

    1. No history of virologic failure. Virologic failure is defined as having two consecutive HIV-1 RNA \>1000 copies/mL at any time after achieving HIV-1 RNA \<50 copies/mL
    2. A single viral load measurement ≥50 but \<1000 copies/mL, at any time from achieving HIV-1 RNA \<50 copies/mL to \> 48 weeks from screening, is allowed provided that it is bracketed by viral loads \<50 copies/mL
    3. A single viral load measurements ≥50 but \<200 copies/mL, within 48 weeks of screening is allowed provided that each is bracketed by viral loads \<50 copies/mL prior to screening.
11. Sensitivity test demonstrating the lack of detection of resistant viruses to VRC07-523LS or PGDM1400LS.
12. For persons of childbearing potential, negative pregnancy test at the screening visit.
13. Persons of childbearing potential must agree to not become pregnant and use two methods of contraception if engaging in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy.
14. Participants engaging in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy in the partner and who are of reproductive potential must agree to use a condom to avoid pregnancy in a spouse or partner of childbearing potential and to avoid transmitting HIV to an uninfected partner. A condom must be used from the time of screening until the end of the study or until viral suppression in Step 4, whichever occurs first.
15. Willingness to abstain from sexual intercourse, or use a condom, or partner(s) using preexposure prophylaxis consistently during ATI and until plasma HIV-1 RNA is less than limit of detection after ART restart with all partners that are HIV-uninfected or serostatus unknown.
16. Passes Test of Understanding (Protocol Section 8.4)
17. Willing to interrupt and restart ART according to study schedule
18. Willing to participate and adhere to the prohibitions and restrictions specified in this protocol for the duration of the study visits and follow up. Step 1 Exclusion Criteria (Groups 1 and 2 only)

Participants who meet any of the following criteria will be excluded from the study:

1. Weight \<50 kg or \> 115 kg
2. Presence of HLA B\*57:01 allele associated with viral control.
3. Anyone with contraindication to intramuscular injections, placement of intravenous lines, and blood draws
4. Acute or serious illness requiring systemic treatment and/or hospitalization within 90 days prior to entry.
5. Any clinically significant acute or chronic medical condition, that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude participation including cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, hematological, coagulation, immunological disorders, that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude participation (e.g., history of seizure disorders, cardiovascular disease, bleeding/clotting disorder, autoimmune disease, malignancy, poorly controlled asthma, active tuberculosis or other systemic infections, etc.).
6. Active or chronic hepatitis B virus infection (detectable HBsAg, HBV DNA, or both)
7. HCV treatment or HCV RNA\>LOD within the previous 6 months
8. Receipt of a licensed or Emergency Use Authorization vaccine within 4 weeks prior to study screening or plans to receive live attenuated vaccines within 4 weeks or any other licensed or Emergency Use Authorization vaccine within 2 weeks prior to or 2 weeks after any of the study investigational product administrations.
9. Plans to receive an MVA-vectored licensed or Emergency Use Authorization vaccine (i.e., smallpox or Mpox vaccine) within 12 weeks prior to or 2 weeks after either of the two study MVA.tHIVconsv4 vaccine administrations.
10. Receipt of an investigational study agent within 12 months prior to study screening Note: Receipt of a licensed vaccine as an investigational agent for an off-label indication is not exclusionary, subject to investigator discretion and the time limits in exclusion #8.
11. Previous receipt of immunoglobulin (IgG) therapy Note: Individuals who received IgGs as prophylactic therapy (e.g., for HBV or rabies exposure) \>12 months prior to screening will not be excluded.
12. Previous receipt of humanized or human monoclonal antibody whether licensed or investigational Note: Individuals who received monoclonal antibody for the prevention and/or treatment of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 \>12 months prior to screening will not be excluded.
13. Previous participation in a candidate HIV vaccine study or immune prophylaxis for HIV-1 infection with confirmed receipt of active product or with unknown receipt of active product vs placebo (i.e. remains blinded to what was actually received).
14. History of use of any immunomodulatory medications within 6 months of study entry including systemic corticosteroids (\>14 days), immunosuppressants, anti-cancer drugs, interleukins, systemic interferons, systemic chemotherapy, or other medications that the site investigator feels could have an immune modulatory effect Note: Topical or inhaled corticosteroids are not prohibited.
15. Known allergy or history of anaphylaxis or other serious adverse reactions to vaccines, vaccine products, neomycin, streptomycin, gentamicin or egg products
16. History of a severe allergic reaction with generalized urticaria, angioedema or anaphylaxis in the 2 years prior to enrollment
17. History of chronic urticaria requiring daily treatment or a history of chronic or recurrent eczema and/or atopic dermatitis
18. History of splenectomy
19. Pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant while enrolled in this study
20. Major psychiatric illness and/or substance use during the past 12 months that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude participation

Step 2 Inclusion Criteria (Group 3 only)

Group 3 will enter the study in Step 2. Participants are eligible to be included in the Group 3 protocol Step 2 only if all of the following criteria are met:

1. Thai National
2. Age ≥18 and ≤60 years of age
3. Can read and write Thai
4. Able and willing to provide written informed consent
5. The following laboratory values at screening:

   1. CD4 \> 200 cells/mm3
   2. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ˃1,000/mm3
   3. Hemoglobin \>11.5 g/dL
   4. Platelet count ˃150,000/mm3
   5. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 mL/min/1.73m2 using the re-expressed MDRD equation with Thai racial factor or the CKD-EPI Cystatin C equation
   6. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (SGOT), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (AP), and total bilirubin \<2x the upper limit of normal (ULN)
   7. HIV-1 RNA \> 1,000 copies/mL
   8. HCV RNA negative
6. For persons of childbearing potential, negative pregnancy test at the screening visit.
7. Persons of childbearing potential must agree to not become pregnant and use two methods of contraception if engaging in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy. Contraception must be used from the time of screening until the end of the study or until viral suppression in Step 4, whichever occurs first.
8. Participants engaging in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy in the partner and who are of reproductive potential must agree to use a condom to avoid pregnancy in a spouse or partner of childbearing potential and to avoid transmitting HIV to an uninfected partner. A condom must be used from the time of screening until the end of the study or until viral suppression in Step 4, whichever occurs first.
9. Willingness to abstain from sexual intercourse, or use a condom, or partner(s) using pre-exposure prophylaxis consistently during ATI and until plasma HIV-1 RNA is less than limit of detection after ART restart with all partners that are HIV-uninfected or serostatus unknown.
10. Passes Test of Understanding (Protocol Section 8.4)
11. Willing to interrupt and restart ART according to study schedule
12. Willing to participate and adhere to the prohibitions and restrictions specified in this protocol for the duration of the study visits and follow up.
13. Experiencing early acute HIV-1 infection as defined by

    1. blood samples on at least two separate days positive by nucleic acid testing within 21 days of a negative nucleic acid HIV-1 test. OR
    2. by a positive nucleic acid test or a positive 4th generation EIA in the context of a negative 2nd or negative 3rd generation HIV-1 EIA test
14. No history of antiretroviral drug use for any indication in the last 30 days

Step 2 Exclusion Criteria (Group 3 only)

Participants who meet any of the following criteria will be excluded from the study for Group 3:

1. Weight \<50 kg or \> 115 kg
2. Presence of HLA B\*57:01 allele associated with viral control.
3. Anyone with contraindication to intramuscular injections, placement of intravenous lines, and blood draws
4. Acute or serious illness requiring systemic treatment and/or hospitalization within 90 days prior to entry.
5. Any clinically significant acute or chronic medical condition, that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude participation including cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, renal, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, hematological, coagulation, immunological disorders, that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude participation (e.g., history of seizure disorders, cardiovascular disease, bleeding/clotting disorder, autoimmune disease, malignancy, poorly controlled asthma, active tuberculosis or other systemic infections, etc.).
6. Active or chronic hepatitis B virus infection (detectable HBsAg)
7. HCV treatment or HCV RNA\>LOD within the previous 6 months
8. Receipt of a licensed or Emergency Use Authorization vaccine within 4 weeks prior to study screening or plans to receive live attenuated vaccines within 4 weeks or any other licensed or Emergency Use Authorization vaccine within 2 weeks prior to or 2 weeks after any of the study investigational product administrations.
9. Plans to receive an MVA-vectored licensed or Emergency Use Authorization vaccine (i.e., smallpox or Mpox vaccine) within 12 weeks prior to or 2 weeks after either of the two study MVA.tHIVconsv4 vaccine administrations.
10. Receipt of an investigational study agent within 12 months prior to study screening Note: Receipt of a licensed vaccine as an investigational agent for an off-label indication is not exclusionary, subject to investigator discretion and the time limits in exclusion #8.
11. Previous receipt of immunoglobulin (IgG) therapy Note: Individuals who received IgGs as prophylactic therapy (i.e., for HBV or rabies exposure) \>12 months prior to screening will not be excluded.
12. Previous receipt of humanized or human monoclonal antibody whether licensed or investigational Note: Individuals who received monoclonal antibody for the prevention and/or treatment of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 \>12 months prior to screening will not be excluded.
13. Previous participation in a candidate HIV vaccine study or immune prophylaxis for HIV-1 infection with confirmed receipt of active product or with unknown receipt of active product vs placebo (i.e. remains blinded to what was actually received).
14. History of use of any immunomodulatory medications within 6 months of study entry including systemic corticosteroids (\>14 days), immunosuppressants, anti-cancer drugs, interleukins, systemic interferons, systemic chemotherapy, or other medications that the site investigator feels could have an immune modulatory effect Note: Topical or inhaled corticosteroids are not prohibited.
15. Known allergy or history of anaphylaxis or other serious adverse reactions to vaccines, vaccine products, neomycin, streptomycin, gentamicin or egg products
16. History of a severe allergic reaction with generalized urticaria, angioedema or anaphylaxis in the 2 years prior to enrollment
17. History of chronic urticaria requiring daily treatment or a history of chronic or recurrent eczema and/or atopic dermatitis
18. History of splenectomy
19. Pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant while enrolled in this study
20. Major psychiatric illness and/or substance use during the past 12 months that in the opinion of the investigator would preclude participation
21. Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \< 740 cells/mm3
22. Severe Acute Retroviral Syndrome requiring in-patient hospitalization or interfering with participant ability to return for follow-up visits.

Step 3 (ATI) Inclusion Criteria (All Groups) Step 3 will begin after the third and final vaccine (or placebo) administration (end of Step 2). Participant clinical status or laboratory tests may potentially change during Steps 1 and 2. To ensure that participants continue to meet safety criteria for proceeding to ATI, they will be screened (to include all required screening laboratory tests) for Step 3 inclusion criteria at the visit for the third and final vaccine/placebo dose (Last Step 2 visit): Step 2, Week 20 for Groups 1 and 2; Step 2, Week 28 for Group 3.

Participants enrolled in all Groups of the study may proceed with Step 3 if they meet all the following inclusion criteria:

1. Receipt of all doses of the study products and/or placebos per protocol in Steps 1 and 2.
2. Plasma HIV-1 RNA \<50 copies/mL at the Last Step 2 visit.
3. CD4 T-cell count ≥400 cells/mm3 at the Last Step 2 visit. Note: The CD4 T-cell count can be repeated once, provided that the repeat is done within 4 weeks prior to Step 3 entry.
4. No CDC Category C event after study entry
5. Documented negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) at the Last Step 2 visit.
6. Documented negative hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (anti-HCV) or negative HCV RNA at the Last Step 2 visit.
7. For persons of childbearing potential, negative pregnancy test at the first Step 3 visit (Step 3, Week 0).
8. Persons of childbearing potential must agree to not become pregnant and use two methods of contraception if engaging in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy.
9. Willingness to abstain from sexual intercourse, or use a condom, or partner(s) using pre-exposure prophylaxis consistently during ATI and until plasma HIV-1 RNA is less than limit of detection after ART restart with all partners that are HIV-uninfected or serostatus unknown.
10. Willingness to participate in ATI for up to 50 weeks.
11. Willingness to restart ART according to study guidelines.

Step 3 (ATI) Exclusion Criteria (All Groups)

Enrolled participants who meet any of the following criteria will be excluded from moving to Step 3:

1. Virologic failure (two consecutive HIV-1 RNA \>1000 copies/mL) after study entry
2. Intercurrent illness, new medical diagnosis, laboratory abnormality, sign, or symptom that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would place participant at higher risk of morbidity during ATI.
3. Receipt of any non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) within 60 days before Step 3 entry.
4. Receipt of long-acting ART such as long-acting cabotegravir (CAB LA) or long-acting rilpivirine (RPV LA) at any point after study entry.
5. Failure by the participant to attend three consecutive Step 1 or Step 2 study visits.
6. Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
7. Active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements.

Where this trial is running

Pathum Wan, Bangkok

• The Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University/ King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital — Pathum Wan, Bangkok, Thailand (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Kiat Ruxrungtham, MD

Conditions HIV Infections; PLWH; ART; Acute HIV Infection