Short Communication: Comparative Evaluation of Coformulated Injectable Combination Antiretroviral Therapy Regimens in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2016 Feb;32(2):163-8. doi: 10.1089/AID.2015.0130. Epub 2015 Sep 9.

Abstract

The use of nonhuman primate (NHP) models to study persistent residual virus and viral eradication strategies in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)-treated individuals requires regimens that effectively suppress SIV replication to clinically relevant levels in macaques. We developed and evaluated two novel cART regimens in SIVmac239-infected rhesus macaques: (1) a "triple regimen" containing the nucleo(s/t)ide reverse transcriptase inhibitors emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate [TDF, prodrug of tenofovir (TFV, PMPA)] with the integrase strand transfer inhibitor dolutegravir (DTG) (n = 3), or (2) a "quad regimen" containing the same three drugs plus the protease inhibitor darunavir (DRV) (n = 3), with each regimen coformulated for convenient administration by a single daily subcutaneous injection. Plasma drug concentrations were consistent across animals within the triple and quad regimen-treated groups, although DTG levels were lower in the quad regimen animals. Time to achieve plasma viral loads stably <30 viral RNA copies/ml ranged from 12 to 20 weeks of treatment between animals, and viral loads <30 viral RNA copies/ml plasma were maintained through 40 weeks of follow-up on cART. Notably, although we show virologic suppression and development of viral resistance in a separate cohort of SIV-infected animals treated with oral DRV monotherapy, the addition of DRV in the quad regimen did not confer an apparent virologic benefit during early treatment, hence the quad regimen-treated animals were switched to the triple regimen after 4 weeks. This coformulated triple cART regimen can be safely, conveniently, and sustainably administered to durably suppress SIV replication to clinically relevant levels in rhesus macaques.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drug Resistance, Viral*
  • Emtricitabine / pharmacokinetics
  • Emtricitabine / therapeutic use
  • HIV Integrase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / pharmacokinetics
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring / therapeutic use
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Oxazines
  • Piperazines
  • Pyridones
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / virology
  • Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / drug effects*
  • Tenofovir / pharmacokinetics
  • Tenofovir / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • HIV Integrase Inhibitors
  • Heterocyclic Compounds, 3-Ring
  • Oxazines
  • Piperazines
  • Pyridones
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
  • Tenofovir
  • dolutegravir
  • Emtricitabine