Chloroquine for Reducing Immune Activation in HIV- Infected Individuals

Summary

HIV is characterized by frequent immune system activation. Early in the course of infection the body establishes an immune activation "set point" related to the amount of HIV in the blood stream. This set point affects the rate of CD4 cell loss. Without CD4 cells, or with very low levels of CD4 cells, the body cannot fight off illness. This is known as immunodeficiency. If left untreated HIV can lead to extreme immunodeficiency and AIDS. Evidence suggests that by decreasing the rate of immune system activation, immune deficiency progression could be prevented. The purpose of this study is to learn how well chloroquine can reduce the level of immune activation and to test the safety and tolerance of chloroquine in people infected with HIV.

Timeline

Start

2009-03

Primary completion

2013-02

Completion

2013-05

Publications

• Background Neely M, Kalyesubula I, Bagenda D, Myers C, Olness K. Effect of chloroquine on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vertical transmission. Afr Health Sci. 2003 Aug;3(2):61-7.
• Background Savarino A, Boelaert JR, Cassone A, Majori G, Cauda R. Effects of chloroquine on viral infections: an old drug against today's diseases? Lancet Infect Dis. 2003 Nov;3(11):722-7. doi: 10.1016/s1473-3099(03)00806-5.
• Background Semrau K, Kuhn L, Kasonde P, Sinkala M, Kankasa C, Shutes E, Vwalika C, Ghosh M, Aldrovandi G, Thea DM. Impact of chloroquine on viral load in breast milk. Trop Med Int Health. 2006 Jun;11(6):800-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2006.01645.x.
• Jacobson JM, Bosinger SE, Kang M, Belaunzaran-Zamudio P, Matining RM, Wilson CC, Flexner C, Clagett B, Plants J, Read S, Purdue L, Myers L, Boone L, Tebas P, Kumar P, Clifford D, Douek D, Silvestri G, Landay AL, Lederman MM. The Effect of Chloroquine on Immune Activation and Interferon Signatures Associated with HIV-1. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2016 Jul;32(7):636-47. doi: 10.1089/AID.2015.0336. Epub 2016 Apr 19.

Drugs

Indications