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HIVPhase 4B-freeNCT06037564

B-free Multistage Trial

A Phase 4 study testing DOR/DTG/3TC in people with HIV and Drug Resistance, run by Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern at 8 sites in Switzerland.

Enrolling by invitation

Enrolling by invitation. The study team selects and invites participants, usually from an existing group of patients.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of a booster-free regimen including DOR/DTG/3TC among HIV-suppressed PLWH with previous virological failure. The key secondary objectives are i) to determine whether switching to DOR / DTG / 3TC leads to lower burden of DDI compared to continuing a… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
HIV, Drug Resistance, Drug Drug Interaction
What is being tested?
DOR/DTG/3TC
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
210 participants
Where
8 sitesSwitzerland
Study dates
13 Nov 2023to Sep 2027
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Informed consent as documented by signature
  • Age ≥18 years
  • Documented HIV-1 infection
  • On ART including a pharmacological booster (ritonavir or cobicistat) and at least 2 drugs from classes other than NRTI (e.g. non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, integrase-inhibitor, protease inhibitor or entry inhibitor)
  • History of ART change due to virological failure
  • HIV-RNA <50 cp/mL at screening and for at least 24 weeks before screening, one blip with less than 200 cp/mL allowed

Who cannot join

  • Creatinine clearance <30mL/min, calculated using the CKD-EPI formula
  • Known hypersensitivity, allergy, or intolerance to DOR, DTG, or 3TC
  • Presence of major drug resistance mutations against DTG (G118R, G140R, Q148H, Q148K, Q148R, R263K) or DOR (V106A, Y188L, F227C, F227L, M230L, Y318F) according to IAS-USA in individual cumulative resistance analyses. Patients without available resistance testing should not be excluded if no resistance to DTG and/or DOR is assumed based on ART history.
  • Concomitant use of drugs that decrease DTG or DOR blood concentrations
  • Chronic hepatitis B infection, defined as a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at the screening visit
  • Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Women of childbearing potential (women who are not surgically sterilized / hysterectomised and / or post-menopausal for longer than 2 years must have a negative pregnancy test at screening).
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  • Participation in another ART intervention study within the 30 days preceding and during the present study.
  • Qualitative sub-study
  • The same inclusion and exclusion criteria as those listed above will be applied. Fifteen persons who were excluded from the trial based on the exclusion criteria above will be recruited for qualitative interviews. In addition to the criteria mentioned above, individuals who are not fluent in German or French will be excluded from the qualitative sub-study.

Trial locations and contacts

8 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

8 sites in 1 country

Switzerland8 sites
  • Cantonal Hospital Aarau

    Aarau, Canton of Aargau, 5001

  • University Hospital Basel

    Basel

  • Inselgruppe AG

    Bern, 3010

  • University Hospital Geneva

    Geneva

  • University of Lausanne Hospitals

    Lausanne

  • Lugano Regional Hospital Lugano

    Lugano

  • Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen

    Sankt Gallen

  • University Hospital Zürich

    Zurich

Other trials in Switzerland

About this study

Official title: Booster-free Antiretroviral Therapy for Persons Living With HIV and Multidrug Resistance: A Multicentre Multi-stage Randomized Trial

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of a booster-free regimen including DOR/DTG/3TC among HIV-suppressed PLWH with previous virological failure. The key secondary objectives are i) to determine whether switching to DOR / DTG / 3TC leads to lower burden of DDI compared to continuing a booster-containing regimen, and ii) to assess changes in patient perception on treatment acceptability and satisfaction, as well as health-related quality of life after a switch to booster-free ART.

Qualitative sub-study:

Qualitative objectives will be met using semi-structured interviews. Thirty people (15 from the intervention arm, 15 from the control arm) will be interviewed twice, at week 0 and week 48. Additional 15 individuals from the observational cohort will be interviewed once. Interviews will take place following study visits and performed using semi-structured guides. The guide for the interviews at week 48 will be based on results from analyses of the interviews conducted at week 0.

Read the detailed description

Life expectancy of persons living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is increasing and drug-drug interactions (DDI) with co-medications are becoming a major concern. Individuals who previously experienced virological failure are at risk of DDI as they are generally treated with ritonavir- or cobicistat-boosted ART. The high potency as well as the favorable safety and pharmacokinetic profile of new antiretroviral drugs, including dolutegravir (DTG) and doravirine (DOR), support their evaluation as part of un-boosted therapy for individuals with a history of virological failure. In this adaptive trial within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) and partner clinics in the Netherlands, the investigators aim to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of the booster-free regimen DOR/DTG/3TC for treatment-experienced individuals.

Being tested
DOR/DTG/3TC
Keywords
HIV, Doravirine, Dolutegravir, Drug resistance, Drug-drug interaction

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • DOR/DTG/3TCDrug

    Also called Doravirine (Pifeltro®) + Dolutegravir/Lamivudine (Dovato®)

    Doravirine 100 mg (Pifeltro®) will be administered once daily in combination with co-formulated dolutegravir/lamivudine 50/300 mg (Dovato®) for a duration of 48 weeks.

Study groups in NCT06037564
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
InterventionExperimentalDoravirine 100 mg (Pifeltro®) will be administered once daily in combination with co-formulated dolutegravir/lamivudine 50/300 mg (Dovato®) for a duration of 48 weeks.
Receives: Drug: DOR/DTG/3TC
ControlNo interventionParticipants randomized to the control arm will continue to take their fully suppressive ART at baseline. The following selection of treatment combinations could be encountered in the control group (among others): * Once-daily co-formulated elvitegravir 150 mg, cobicistat 150 mg, tenofovir alafenamide 10 mg, emtricitabine 200 mg (Genvoya®) and darunavir 800 mg (e.g. Darunavir Mylan®) * Once-daily co-formulated darunavir 800 mg, cobicistat 150 mg, tenofovir alafenamide 10 mg, emtricitabine 200 mg (Symtuza ®) and DTG 50 mg (Tivicay ®) * Once-daily DTG 50 mg (Tivicay®), darunavir 800 mg (e.g. Darunavir Mylan®), and ritonavir 100 mg (Norvir®) * Etravirine 200 mg twice daily (Intelence®), raltegravir 400 mg twice daily (Isentress®),darunavir 800 mg once daily (e.g. Darunvair Mylan®) and ritonavir 100 mg once daily (Norvir®)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Loss of viral suppression

    Difference in the proportion of individuals with an HIV-RNA ≥50 cp/mL at 48 weeks between the treatment arms.

    Measured: Week 48

Secondary outcomes (17)
  1. Changes in DDI score from week 0 to 48

    Using the University of Liverpool Drug Database (https://www.hiv-druginteractions.org/), the prescribed ART and co-medications will be categorized as red flag (3 points) for severe DDIs when co-administration is contraindicated, amber flag (2 points) for potential clinically significant DDIs manageable by dose adjustment or clinical monitoring, yellow flag (1 point) for DDIs of weak clinical relevance with no need of a priori dosage adjustment or monitoring, and a green flag (0 points) for no interactions. Amber flag DDIs will be downgraded to 1 point if there is evidence that the DDI was managed correctly (i.e. DTG administered 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking divalent cations). The sum of all points at visit 6, week 48 will be compared to baseline.

    Measured: Week 0 and 48

  2. Patient report outcomes concerning changes in treatment satisfaction between baseline and 48 weeks, as determined using the HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire HIVTSQc (change version).

    The investigators will assess changes in treatment satisfaction between week 0 and 48 using the validated HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire HIVTSQc (change version).

    Measured: Week 0 to 48

  3. Proportion of patients experiencing confirmed virological failure

    Proportion of patients experiencing confirmed virological failure, defined as 2 consecutive plasma HIV viral loads ≥200 copies/mL

    Measured: Week 48

  4. Proportion of individuals detected with new drug resistance

    Proportion of individuals experiencing impairment / loss of future drug options throughout the study period, defined as new detection of resistance-associated mutations against DOR, DTG, 3TC (intervention-arm) or against the components of the ART regimen that the virus was considered to be sensitive to at randomization (based on historic resistance testing or treatment history; control-arm).

    Measured: Week 0 to 48

  5. Proportion of individuals with any moderate (orange flag) or severe (red flag) DDI

    Proportion of individuals with any moderate (orange flag) or severe (red flag) DDI at any study visit between baseline and week 48, based on the results from the Liverpool drug interaction database (www.hiv-druginteractions.org).

    Measured: Week 0 to 48

  6. Proportion of patients with DDI leading to suboptimal management of comorbidities

    Proportion of patients with DDI leading to suboptimal management of comorbidities between baseline and week 48, as reported by the cohort physician.

    Measured: Week 0 and 48

  7. Patient report outcomes concerning differences in quality of life between both groups at week 48 assessed by the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life- HIV Bref (WHOQOL-HIV BREF) questionnaire

    Differences in quality of life between both groups at week 48, assessed using the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life- HIV Bref (WHOQOL-HIV BREF) questionnaire

    Measured: Week 48

  8. Patient report outcomes concerning differences in treatment satisfaction between both groups assessed by HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaires

    The investigators will assess the differences in treatment satisfaction between both groups at week 48, as determined using the validated HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaires HIVTSQ.

    Measured: Week 48

  9. Proportion of individuals reporting depression assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9

    Depression will be assessed at baseline and week 48, assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

    Measured: Week 0 and 48

  10. Changes in intact proviral HIV-DNA levels

    Changes in intact proviral HIV-DNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) between baseline and week 48. Stored PBMC samples will be used to determine HIV-DNA levels by a digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assay using the RAINDANCE system.

    Measured: Week 0 to 48

  11. Proportion of individuals who develop a detectable HBV viral load

    Proportion of individuals with a positive anti-HBc and negative anti-HBs ("anti-HBc alone") who develop a detectable HBV viral load (>50 IU/mL) at weeks 24 and 48.

    Measured: Weeks 24 and 48

  12. Cumulative cost of all ART drugs used

    The 48-weeks cumulative cost of the received ART regimen will be calculated using prices published by the Federal Office of Public Health (https://www.spezialitaetenliste.ch/ShowPreparations.aspx).

    Measured: Week 0 to 48

  13. Perception of the trial and/or of HIV-related research in general assessed by qualitative interviews in a subset of approximately 30 trial participants

    Perception of the trial and/or of HIV-related research in general.

    Measured: Week 0 and 48

  14. Acceptability conditions of participation in the trial assessed by qualitative interviews in a subset of approximately 30 trial participants

    Acceptability conditions, understood as all barriers and facilitators to be involved in a trial.

    Measured: Week 0 and 48

  15. Needs regarding the booster-free regimen or regarding ART in general assessed by qualitative interviews in a subset of approximately 30 trial participants

    Needs regarding the booster-free regimen or regarding ART in general for participants included in the observational cohort.

    Measured: Week 0 and 48

  16. Expectations regarding the booster-free regimen or regarding ART in general assessed by qualitative interviews in a subset of approximately 30 trial participants

    Expectations regarding the booster-free regimen or regarding ART in general for participants included in the observational cohort.

    Measured: Week 0 and 48

  17. Perspectives on how the participants' current and anticipated needs can be assessed by qualitative interviews in a subset of approximately 30 trial participants

    Perspectives on how the participants' current and anticipated needs can be addressed by research.

    Measured: Week 0 and 48

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted14 Sep 2023
  2. Study start13 Nov 2023
  3. Primary completionOct 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completionSep 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Multi-stage, randomized, multicenter, open-label non-inferiority trial with active control
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
210 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT06037564
Sponsor's protocol ID
B-free trial - Stage 1
Acronym
B-free
Status last verified
Dec 2024
First submitted
24 Apr 2023
Last updated
4 Dec 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Ballif M, Braun D, Calmy A, Bernasconi E, Cavassini M, Tissot F, Stoeckle M, Schmid P, Fux CA, Van der Valk M, Brinkman K, Mudrikova T, Bonnet F, Leleux O, Saude M, Hirter D, Schwab N, Limacher A, Rintelen F, Kouyos R, Haerry D, Zambrano SC, Egloff M, Akre C, Peytremann-Bridevaux I, Rauch A, Wandeler G, Surial B. Booster-free anti-retroviral therapy for persons living with HIV and multidrug resistance (B-Free): protocol for a multicentre, multistage, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial. BMJ Open. 2024 Nov 21;14(11):e094912. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-094912.

    PubMed 39578038

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing DOR/DTG/3TC in people with HIV and Drug Resistance, run by Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern at 8 sites in Switzerland.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Dec 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 8 sites in Switzerland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Loss of viral suppression (time frame: Week 48). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06037564, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Dec 2024.

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