Understanding HIV interactions during treatment interruptions

Analytic Treatment Interruption in HIV Infection

Not applicable Interventional University of California, San Francisco · NCT04359186

This study is testing how HIV behaves in people when they take a break from their treatment to see what might cause the virus to come back.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco Academic / other
Locations1 site (San Francisco, California)
Trial IDNCT04359186 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the dynamics between HIV and the host when antiretroviral therapy (ART) is temporarily paused. Participants living with HIV will undergo intensive monitoring and sampling before and after stopping their ART, with most resuming treatment within three weeks. Those who have previously controlled their virus will have the opportunity for a longer interruption and less strict criteria for restarting ART. The aim is to identify predictors of viral rebound and better understand early virus replication stages.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with documented HIV infection who have been on ART for at least 12 months and have maintained low viral loads.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, have active hepatitis infections, or significant cardiovascular diseases may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved strategies for managing HIV treatment interruptions and better understanding of viral control.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored treatment interruptions in HIV, but this specific approach focusing on early viral interactions is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Willing and able to provide written informed consent
* Age \>= 18
* Documented HIV infection
* Antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 months
* Screening plasma HIV RNA levels below level of detection (\< 40-75 copies/mL), and all available determinations in past 12 months also below level of detection (blips allowed)
* Screening CD4+ T-cell count \>350 cells/uL
* If of childbearing potential, willing to use two methods of contraception
* Willing to receive counseling regarding HIV transmission risk mitigation

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant or plans to become pregnant during the course of the study
* Active hepatitis B, defined as (1) positive sAg or (2) positive cAb with negative sAb and positive HBV DNA
* Active hepatitis C, defined as positive Hep C Ab with positive HCV RNA
* Use of a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and unable to switch regimen
* Significant cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease
* Recent or prior (within past 5 years) malignancy
* Severe kidney disease (CrCl \< 50 mL/min via Cockroft-Gault method)
* Severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C) or unstable liver disease
* Concurrent treatment with immunomodulatory drugs
* Unable or unwilling to use barrier protection or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV transmission with sexual partners not known to be HIV-infected

Where this trial is running

San Francisco, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions HIV/AIDSHIVAntiretroviral therapyHIV reservoirBiomarkers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.