FTC/RPV/TDF on T-Cell Activation, CD4 Cell Count, Inflammatory Biomarkers and Viral Reservoir

Inclusion Criteria:

Step 1

• HIV-1 infection
• ART-naïve defined as ≤7 days of ARV treatment at any time prior to entry Documentation of HIV-1 RNA <500 copies/mL verified by at least two measurements prior to the screening RNA specimen
• Screening HIV-1 RNA <500 copies/mL using an US FDA-approved assay obtained within 60 days prior to study entry by any laboratory that has a CLIA certification or its equivalent

• Laboratory values obtained within 60 days prior to entry by any laboratory that has a CLIA certification or its equivalent:

  • Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >=500/mm3
  • Hemoglobin >=8.0 g/dL
  • Platelet count >=40,000/mm3
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (SGOT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (SGPT), and alkaline phosphatase <=5 X Upper Limit of Normal (ULN)
  • Total bilirubin <=2.5 X ULN
  • Calculated creatinine clearance (CrCl) >=60 mL/min
• For females of reproductive potential, negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 48 hours prior to study entry by any laboratory that has a CLIA certification or its equivalent. Female subjects of reproductive potential, who are participating in sexual activity that could lead to pregnancy, must agree to use at least one reliable form of contraceptive (ie, condoms (male or female) with or without a spermicidal agent; a diaphragm or cervical cap with spermicide; an IUD; or hormone-based contraceptive) while receiving the protocol-specified treatment and for 6 weeks after stopping the medications.
• No evidence of any exclusionary resistance mutations based on results from any genotype assay from any laboratory that has a CLIA certification or its equivalent

Step 2

• Completion of Step 1.
• Ability and willingness of subject to choose to receive either open-label ART FDC (FTC/RPV/TDF) or no study treatment for an additional 48 weeks.
• For females of reproductive potential, negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 48 hours prior to the week 60 visit by any laboratory that has a CLIA certification or its equivalent.

Exclusion Criteria:

Step 1

• Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (documented by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity)
• Breastfeeding
• Use of immunomodulators (eg, interleukins, interferons, cyclosporine), topical imiquimod, HIV vaccine, systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy, or investigational therapy within 30 days prior to study entry or plans to start immunomodulators, topical imiquimod, HIV vaccine, systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy, or investigational therapy during the study
• Known allergy/sensitivity or any hypersensitivity to components of study drug(s) or their formulation
• Active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with adherence to study requirements
• Acute or serious illness requiring systemic treatment and/or hospitalization within 30 days prior to entry
• Symptomatic HIV disease and/or AIDS-defining illness.
• Vaccinations within 7 days prior to study entry
• Plans to initiate hepatitis C treatment during the study
• Perinatally-acquired HIV

• Use of any of the following medications within 7 days prior to study entry:

  • St. John's wort (Hypercium perforatum)
  • Anticonvulsants (eg, oxacarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin)
  • Anti-infectives (eg, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine)
  • Corticosteroids (eg, dexamethasone (more than 1 dose))
  • Proton pump inhibitors (eg, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole)

Step 2

• Plans to start immunomodulators, topical imiquimod, HIV vaccine, systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy, or investigational therapy during Step 2 of the study.
• Plans to initiate hepatitis C treatment during Step 2 of the study. NOTE: Please refer to the protocol for detailed eligibility criteria.