In the United States it is estimated that 2.7-3.9 million persons are living with chronic HCV infection, which accounts for approximately 1.3-1.9% of the population. Due to shared routes of transmission, co-infection with HCV occurs in 15-40% of persons chronically infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Now, in the context of effective combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), liver disease has emerged as a predominant cause of death and of healthcare resource utilization in HIV-infected persons. A recently discovered host single nucleotide polymorphism upstream of the IL28B gene (rs12989760) has been reported as a predictor of HCV treatment response, spontaneous viral clearance, lipoprotein levels, and steatosis. The interaction of HCV virions and lipoproteins is well described. The long-term objective of this research proposal is to determine the role of ART-induced lipoprotein increases on liver disease in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals. The objective will be achieved through several specific aims: (1) Explore the association of antiretroviral-induced lipoprotein increases on HCV pathogenesis in HIV/HCV co-infected patients;(2) Determine the effect of treatment with lipid lowering compounds on HCV pathogenesis in HIV/HCV co-infected patients;(3) In a candidate gene approach investigate the IL28B genotype as a host baseline predictor for risk of ART-related lipoprotein increases and increased HCV viral load in HIV/HCV co-infected patients at months 6 and 12 following ART initiation;(4) Determine the impact of the host genetics on differential ISG expression and lipoprotein biosynthesis in HIV/HCV co-infected patients at baseline and on pegIFN/RBV therapy.
Specific Aim 1 will be achieved using a large well-described cohort repository to determine the correlation of increases in lipoprotein parameters and HCV RNA after the initiation of ART in HIV/HCV co-infected patients.
Specific Aims 2 and 3 will be achieved using a prospective study design of HIV/HCV co-infected patients initiating ritonavir-boosted-protease inhibitor-based ART. Patients will be randomization into a lipid lowering therapy arm versus protease inhibitor therapy alone. Patient DNA will be collected at baseline for host genotyping.
Specific Aim 4 will be achieved using a well-described clinical cohort of HIV/HCV co-infected patients treated with interferon based regimens for HCV;this will be done in collaboration with investigators at the NIAID. PBMCs will be used for gene expression microarray and baseline DNA will be used for host genotyping.
These Specific Aims will help demonstrate the feasibility of more individualized therapy in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. The results will clarify the utility of further study in assessing the role of lipid lowering agents and the IL28B polymorphism in the treatment of HIV/HCV co-infected patients, especially in the era of new combination therapies that will include directly acting antivirals for the treatment of HCV. With improved SVR rates, but more expensive combination regimens, the ability to individualize treatment decisions regarding the utility and benefit of HCV therapy will be critical.

Public Health Relevance

(provided by the applicant): Due to shared routes of transmission, co-infection with HIV and HCV is common;in the context of effective combination antiretroviral therapy (ART), liver disease has emerged as a predominant cause of death and of healthcare resource utilization in HIV-infected persons. This study proposes to provide evidence for individualized therapy of HIV and HCV in the HIV/HCV co-infected patient population with a focus on antiretroviral induced metabolic complications and the IL28B gene polymorphism. Results from this study would directly translate to the clinical care of this difficult to treat patient population with the ultimate goal to improve long-term liver related morbidity and mortality.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
5K23AI096913-03
Application #
8487353
Study Section
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Research Review Committee (AIDS)
Program Officer
Brobst, Susan W
Project Start
2011-07-01
Project End
2015-06-30
Budget Start
2013-07-01
Budget End
2014-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$88,700
Indirect Cost
$6,570
Name
Duke University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
Naggie, Susanna; Swiderska-Syn, Marzena; Choi, Steve et al. (2018) Markers of Tissue Repair and Cellular Aging Are Increased in the Liver Tissue of Patients With HIV Infection Regardless of Presence of HCV Coinfection. Open Forum Infect Dis 5:ofy138
Naggie, Susanna; Holland, David P; Sulkowski, Mark S et al. (2017) Hepatitis C Virus Postexposure Prophylaxis in the Healthcare Worker: Why Direct-Acting Antivirals Don't Change a Thing. Clin Infect Dis 64:92-99
Katrak, Shereen; Park, Lawrence P; Woods, Christopher et al. (2016) Patterns of Healthcare Utilization Among Veterans Infected With Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Coinfected With HIV/HCV: Unique Burdens of Disease. Open Forum Infect Dis 3:ofw173
Wong, Tammy C; Lan, Audrey; Kiser, Jennifer J et al. (2016) Novel quantification of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate adherence in human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis B coinfected patients with incomplete hepatitis B virus viral suppression. Hepatology 64:999-1000
Muir, Andrew J; Naggie, Susanna (2015) Hepatitis C Virus Treatment: Is It Possible To Cure All Hepatitis C Virus Patients? Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 13:2166-72
Naggie, Susanna; Patel, Keyur; Yang, Lan-Yan et al. (2015) Antiretroviral Effects on Host Lipoproteins Are Associated With Changes in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA Levels in Human Immunodeficiency Virus/HCV Coinfected Individuals. Open Forum Infect Dis 2:ofv066
Naggie, Susanna; Kim, Arthur Y (2015) PHOTON-2: hope for patients with HIV and HCV co-infection? Lancet 385:1052-4
Horner, Stacy M; Naggie, Susanna (2015) Successes and Challenges on the Road to Cure Hepatitis C. PLoS Pathog 11:e1004854
Naggie, Susanna; Cooper, Curtis; Saag, Michael et al. (2015) Ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir for HCV in Patients Coinfected with HIV-1. N Engl J Med 373:705-13
Norton, Brianna L; Voils, Corrine I; Timberlake, Sarah H et al. (2014) Community-based HCV screening: knowledge and attitudes in a high risk urban population. BMC Infect Dis 14:74

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