Short-term Effects of Methamphetamine on Residual Latent HIV Disease (EMRLHD) Study
University of California, San Francisco
Summary
The most commonly used illicit stimulant in people with HIV (PWH) is methamphetamine (MA). Prior studies demonstrate strong evidence that MA promotes increased HIV transcription as well as immune dysregulation. A challenge in achieving worldwide HIV eradication is targeting specific marginalized populations who are most likely to benefit from an HIV cure but possess poorer immune responses. For this study, N = \~20 PWH virally-suppressed on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with no prior history of MA use disorder will be administered oral methamphetamine to determine the effects of short-term MA exposure on residual virus production, gene expression, and inflammation. Measures of MA exposure in urine and serum will then be associated with residual virus production, gene expression, cell surface immune marker protein expression, and systemic markers of inflammation. Thus, the proposed work will leverage a unique clinical trial design to generate advanced gene expression and immunologic data to identify potential novel targets for reversing HIV latency, reducing inflammation, and personalizing future therapies in PWH who use MA.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Willing and able to provide written informed consent * Any gender, age ≥ 18 years \< 65 years * Laboratory confirmed documentation of HIV-1 infection. * Continuous therapy with a Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommended/alternative combination ART for least 12 months (at least 3 agents) at study entry with no regimen changes in the preceding 12 weeks * Maintenance of undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA ( \<40copies/ml) below the limit of quantification for at least 12 months. Episodes of single HIV plasma RNA 50-500 copies/ml will not exclude participation if…