Disease: Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection, HIV, (NCT00842634)
Disease info:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system by infecting and killing white blood cells known as CD4+ T-cells. CD4+ T-cells represent a vital part of the immune system and untreated HIV infections render patients more vulnerable to dangerous infections by other pathogens, including bacteria and fungi. If the virus remains untreated it can lead to patients developing the life-threatening disease acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Untreated HIV can leave people vulnerable to life-threatening infections. HIV symptoms often manifest as flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, and fatigue. Today, antiviral medications can allow people living with HIV to live healthy lives.
Frequency:
In 2021, 36,136 people received an HIV diagnosis in the United States and dependent areas. An estimated 1.2 million people in the United States had HIV at the end of 2021.
Official title:
A Phase I Study of Autologous T-Cells Genetically Modified at the CCR5 Gene by Zinc Finger Nucleases SB-728 in HIV-Infected Patients
This research study is being carried out to study a new way to possibly treat HIV. This agent is called a "Zinc Finger Nuclease" or ZFN for short. ZFNs are proteins that can delete another protein named CCR5. This CCR5 protein is required for certain common types of HIV (CCR5 tropic) to enter into and infect T-cells. T-cells are one of the white blood cells used by the body to fight HIV. The most important T-cells are those called "CD4 T-cells."
Some people are born without CCR5 on their T-cells. These people remain healthy and are resistant to infection with HIV. Other people have a low number of CCR5 on their T-cells, and their HIV disease is less severe and is slower to cause disease (AIDS).
In order to delete the CCR5 protein on the T cells, this study will isolate large numbers of T-cells from subjects, and then deliver the ZFNs using a delivery vehicle called a viral vector. The viral vector used in this study is called an adenoviral vector. The vector is added to the cells at the beginning of the manufacture process and the ZFNs knock out the CCR5 protein. By the time T-cells are returned to subjects, there is minimal adenovirus or ZFN present. The removal of the CCR5 protein on the T-cells subjects receive, however, is permanent.
The purpose of this research study is to find out whether "zinc finger" modified T-cells are
safe to give to humans and
find how "zinc finger" modified T cell affects HIV
This is an experimental study. Laboratory studies have shown that when CD4 T-cells are modified with "zinc fingers", HIV is prevented from killing the CD4 T cells. On the basis of these laboratory results, there is the potential that "zinc fingers" may work in humans infected with HIV and improve their immune system by allowing their CD4 T-cells to survive longer (HIV usually kills T cells it infects).
All subjects who receive ZFN Modified CD4+T cells will enroll in a Long Term, Follow-up study to monitor subjects. Subjects will be followed every 3 months for four years. If the ZFN Modified CD4+T cells are no longer found in the blood after four years, then subjects will be contacted yearly for the next 6 years. If the ZFN Modified CD4+T cells are found in the blood at year four, then the subjects will continue to be seen once a year until the ZFN Modified CD4+T cells are no longer found in the blood for a maximum of 10 years.
