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Effects of hydroxychloroquine on immune activation and disease progression among HIV-infected patients not receiving antiretroviral therapy: a randomized controlled trial

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 16:21 authored by Nicholas I Paton, Ruth L Goodall, David T Dunn, Samuel Franzen, Yolanda Collaco-Moraes, Brian G Gazzard, Ian G Williams, Martin J Fisher, Alan Winston, Julie Fox, Chloe Orkin, Elbushra A Herieka, Jonathan G Ainsworth, Frank A Post, Mark Wansbrough-Jones, Peter Kelleher, The Hydroxychloroquine Trial Team
CONTEXT Therapies to decrease immune activation might be of benefit in slowing HIV disease progression. OBJECTIVE To determine whether hydroxychloroquine decreases immune activation and slows CD4 cell decline. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial performed at 10 HIV outpatient clinics in the United Kingdom between June 2008 and February 2011. The 83 patients enrolled had asymptomatic HIV infection, were not taking antiretroviral therapy, and had CD4 cell counts greater than 400 cells/µL. INTERVENTION Hydroxychloroquine, 400 mg, or matching placebo once daily for 48 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure was change in the proportion of activated CD8 cells (measured by the expression of CD38 and HLA-DR surface markers), with CD4 cell count and HIV viral load as secondary outcomes. Analysis was by intention to treat using mixed linear models. RESULTS There was no significant difference in CD8 cell activation between the 2 groups (-4.8% and -4.2% in the hydroxychloroquine and placebo groups, respectively, at week 48; difference, -0.6%; 95% CI, -4.8% to 3.6%; P = .80). Decline in CD4 cell count was greater in the hydroxychloroquine than placebo group (-85 cells/µL vs -23 cells/µL at week 48; difference, -62 cells/µL; 95% CI, -115 to -8; P = .03). Viral load increased in the hydroxychloroquine group compared with placebo (0.61 log10 copies/mL vs 0.23 log10 copies/mL at week 48; difference, 0.38 log10 copies/mL; 95% CI, 0.13 to 0.63; P = .003). Antiretroviral therapy was started in 9 patients in the hydroxychloroquine group and 1 in the placebo group. Trial medication was well tolerated, but more patients reported influenza-like illness in the hydroxychloroquine group compared with the placebo group (29% vs 10%; P = .03). CONCLUSION Among HIV-infected patients not taking antiretroviral therapy, the use of hydroxychloroquine compared with placebo did not reduce CD8 cell activation but did result in a greater decline in CD4 cell count and increased viral replication. TRIAL REGISTRATION isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN30019040.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Journal of the American Medical Association

ISSN

0098-7484

Publisher

American Medical Association

Issue

4

Volume

308

Page range

353-361

Department affiliated with

  • BSMS Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2013-11-25

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