Testing a rectal insert for HIV prevention

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Phase 1 Study to Evaluate the Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Rectally Administered Tenofovir Alafenamide/Elvitegravir Inserts

This study is testing a new rectal insert to see if it can safely help people at risk of HIV-1 infection when used over several days.

Quick facts

• Phase: PHASE1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 24 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 59 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Eastern Virginia Medical School (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Atlanta, Georgia)
• Trial ID: NCT06274398 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the safety and pharmacokinetics of TAF/EVG rectal inserts administered over a series of days to individuals at risk of HIV-1 infection. Participants will self-administer the inserts and return for biological sample collection to assess the drug's effects. The study is designed to inform future research on the efficacy of this drug combination as on-demand pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It involves a double-blind, placebo-controlled approach to ensure reliable results.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are HIV-negative individuals aged 18-59 with a history of receptive anal intercourse.

Not a fit: Patients who are HIV-positive or unable to undergo rectal biopsy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a new method of HIV prevention for at-risk individuals.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise with similar approaches, but this specific method is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals between the ages of 18-59 years
2. Able to understand and give informed consent
3. HIV-negative and willing to be tested for HIV
4. Willing to undergo peripheral blood, urine, rectal secretion collection, and rectal biopsy sampling
5. For those assigned female at birth: Willing to undergo cervicovaginal secretion collection
6. Lifetime history of receptive anal intercourse
7. No contraindication to rectal biopsy (at the investigator's discretion)
8. For participants of childbearing potential: Willing to use an effective method of contraception for at least 30 days prior to enrollment and for the duration of study participation. Effective methods include:

   1. Hormonal methods
   2. Intrauterine device (IUD) inserted at least 30 days prior to enrollment
   3. Sterilization (of participant or partner)
   4. Sexually abstinent as defined by abstaining from penile-vaginal intercourse for 90 days prior to enrollment and intending to remain abstinent for the duration of study participation
   5. Willing to commit to using condoms for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Currently infected with hepatitis virus and/or has liver disease
2. Current or chronic history of kidney disease or CrCl \<60 ml/min
3. History of inflammatory bowel disease or other inflammatory, infiltrative, infectious, or vascular condition of the lower GI tract which at the judgement of the investigator, may be worsened by study procedures or may significantly distort the anatomy of the distal large bowel.
4. Significant laboratory abnormalities at baseline, including but not limited to:

   1. Hemoglobin ≤ 10 g/dL
   2. Platelet count \<100,000
   3. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine transaminase (ALT) \>1.3x ULN
   4. Serum creatinine \>1.3x upper limit of normal (ULN)
   5. PTT \> 1.5x ULN or International normalized ratio (INR) \>1.5x ULN
5. Any known medical condition that, in the judgement of the investigators, increases the risk of local or systemic complications of biopsy procedures or pelvic examination, including but not limited to:

   1. Uncontrolled or severe cardiac arrhythmia
   2. Recent major abdominal, cardiothoracic, or neurological surgery in the last 12 months
   3. History of uncontrolled bleeding diathesis
6. Current colonic, rectal, or cervicovaginal perforation, fistula, or malignancy
7. Current symptoms or evidence on clinical examination of ulcerative, suppurative, or proliferative lesions of the cervicovaginal and/or anorectal mucosa
8. Current symptoms or evidence on clinical examination of atypical rectal or vaginal discharge
9. Continued need for, or use during the 14 days prior to the rectal biopsy, of the following medications:

   1. Aspirin or more than 4 doses of NSAIDs
   2. Warfarin, heparin (LMW or unfractionated), platelet aggregation inhibitors, or fibrinolytic agents
   3. Any form of rectally administered medications or agents (excluding lubricants or douching)
10. Continued need for, or use during the 90 days prior to enrollment, of the following medications:

    1. Systemic immunomodulatory agents
    2. Supraphysiologic doses of steroids, except for short course steroids \<7 days duration, at the discretion of the investigator
    3. Experimental medications, vaccines, or biologicals (except for COVID-19 vaccines available through the emergency use authorization)
11. Use of moderate or strong CYP inducers/inhibitors (see appendix I)
12. Known or suspected allergy to study product components
13. Use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention within 3 months prior to enrollment, and/or anticipated use and/or unwillingness to abstain from PrEP during trial participation
14. Use of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for potential HIV exposure within 6 months prior to enrollment
15. Pregnant and breastfeeding persons, or intent to become pregnant within the next 6 months
16. Participation in other studies involving the use of drugs, medical devices, rectal and genital products, or vaccines within the past 90 days.
17. Any other clinical condition or prior therapy that, in the opinion of the investigator, would make the participant unsuitable for the study or unable to comply with the study requirements.

Where this trial is running

Atlanta, Georgia

• Emory Clinic — Atlanta, Georgia, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Cassie Grimsley Ackerley, MD, MSc — Emory School of Medicine
• Study coordinator: Karen Dominguez, MPH

Conditions: Safety Issues, rectal insert, HIV, pre-exposure prophylaxis