Using arsenic trioxide to eliminate HIV-1 reservoirs in patients on antiretroviral therapy

The Effect of Arsenic Trioxide on Eliminating HIV-1 Reservoir Combined With cART

Phase 1 Interventional Guangzhou 8th People's Hospital · NCT03980665

This study is testing if adding arsenic trioxide to standard HIV treatment can help get rid of hidden HIV in people living with the virus.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 1
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexAll
SponsorGuangzhou 8th People's Hospital Academic / other
Drugs / interventionscART
Locations1 site (Guangzhou, Guangdong)
Trial IDNCT03980665 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of arsenic trioxide combined with combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) in eliminating latent HIV-1 reservoirs in HIV-infected patients. The approach utilizes a shock and kill strategy, where arsenic trioxide acts as a latency reversing agent to reactivate latent HIV-1, allowing for potential eradication. The trial will monitor adverse events, HIV-1 reservoir levels, viral load, and immune responses in a cohort of 20 participants. The goal is to explore new strategies for achieving a functional cure for AIDS.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are HIV-infected individuals who have been on HAART for over 12 months with controlled viral loads and adequate CD4+ cell counts.

Not a fit: Patients with serious chronic diseases, active infections, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to innovative strategies for achieving a functional cure for HIV/AIDS.

How similar studies have performed: While the shock and kill strategy has been explored, the specific use of arsenic trioxide as a latency reversing agent is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in this context.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. HIV infection confirmed
2. Receiving HAART more than 12 months.
3. HIV viral-load \< 50 copies/ml and CD4+ cell count more than 350 cells/ul.
4. Without serious heart, lung, liver or kidney disease.
5. Participants know about the study and sign informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. With serious active HBV or HCV infection or opportunistic infections
2. With serious chronic disease such as diabetes, mental illness,et al
3. History of suffering from pancreatitis during HAART.
4. Pregnant or breast-fed.
5. With poor adherence.
6. Unable to complete the follow up.

Where this trial is running

Guangzhou, Guangdong

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/AIDSArsenic TrioxidecARTHIV-1 reservoirfunctional cure
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.