Studying Topiramate for Re-Activating the HIV-1 Reservoir

Summary

Even with current HIV treatments, HIV is still a lifelong disease because it hides in some long-lasting cells in the body. One of the strategies to find a cure for HIV works by finding the virus in these cells, making it visible, and then getting rid of it. This is called the 'shock and kill' approach. So far, the drugs tested can find the virus, but they don't get rid of it completely. That's why there need to be new drugs that can do this more effectively. The Erasmus MC HIV Eradication Group (EHEG) has been testing new drugs in the lab and found a drug called topiramate can wake up the virus without harming the cells. The aim of this study is to test topiramate in people living with HIV. Most of the people that participate in HIV cure studies are men, even though most people living with HIV around the world are women. Previous research has shown that men and women might respond differently to these treatments. So, in this study, topiramate will be investigated in both men and women. This could help us find a cure that works for everyone.

Timeline

Start

2024-09

Primary completion

2025-04

Completion

2025-08

Drugs

Indications