UNIVERSAL 1: Pharmacokinetic Study of a Novel DTG/FTC/TAF Dose Ratio for Children

Last updated: February 4, 2025
Sponsor: PENTA Foundation
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

2

Condition

Hiv/aids

Hiv Infections

Aids And Aids Related Infections

Treatment

Dolutegravir (DTG)/ Emtricitabine (FTC)/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)

dolutegravir (DTG)/emtricitabine (FTC)/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) regimen

Clinical Study ID

NCT05993767
UNIVERSAL1
RIA2019PD-2882
  • Ages 28-10
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This study aims to find out whether treating children living with HIV with three anti-HIV medicines, dolutegravir (DTG), emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), with a novel dose ratio will achieve adequate drug concentrations and is safe. The optimal DTG/FTC/TAF dose ratio will be used for the development of a fixed-dose combination dispersible tablet.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age between 28 days and 10 years old

  • Weighing 3 to <25 kg

  • Confirmed HIV-1 infection (local, molecular methods)

  • A parent or legal guardian is willing and able to give informed consent on behalf ofthe child as per national legislation and willing to adhere to the protocol

  • Participant is willing to give informed assent if the trial site clinician deemsthem old enough and able to understand the age-appropriate information aboutparticipation in the study

  • Girls who have reached menarche must have a negative pregnancy test at screening

  • Subject is willing to start DTG/FTC/TAF regimen in the novel dose ratio for HIVtreatment

  • Subjects already on a DTG-based ART regimen should be virologically suppressed atscreening

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Age between 28 days and 10 years old

  • Weighing 3 to <25 kg

  • Confirmed HIV-1 infection (local, molecular methods)

  • A parent or legal guardian is willing and able to give informed consent on behalf ofthe child as per national legislation and willing to adhere to the protocol

  • Participant is willing to give informed assent if the trial site clinician deemsthem old enough and able to understand the age-appropriate information aboutparticipation in the study

  • Girls who have reached menarche must have a negative pregnancy test at screening

  • Subject is willing to start DTG/FTC/TAF regimen in the novel dose ratio for HIVtreatment

  • Subjects already on a DTG-based ART regimen should be virologically suppressed atscreening

  • History or presence of known allergy to DTG, FTC or TAF

  • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≥5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), OR ALT ≥3xULN AND bilirubin ≥2xULN

  • Patients with severe hepatic impairment or unstable liver disease (as defined by thepresence of ascites, encephalopathy, coagulopathy, hypoalbuminaemia, oesophageal orgastric varices, or persistent jaundice), known biliary abnormalities (with theexception of Gilbert's syndrome or asymptomatic gallstones)

  • Current or anticipated need for TB therapy during the study

  • Use of rifampicin-based therapy within 4 weeks before start trial

  • Presence of comedication known to interact with trial medications

  • Known resistance to INSTI or NRTI

Study Design

Total Participants: 50
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Dolutegravir (DTG)/ Emtricitabine (FTC)/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)
Phase: 2
Study Start date:
December 11, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
June 30, 2025

Study Description

Dolutegravir (DTG), Emtricitabine (FTC) and Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) are anti-HIV medicines. DTG works very well, can be taken once-daily and has few side effects. In international treatment guidelines, DTG is one of the most recommended medicines for adults and young people. Emtricitabine is also one of the preferred medicines in anti-HIV treatment for adults and children. Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) is not yet recommended in children <25 kg, however TAF could potentially be used safely and effectively in children.

Combining DTG, FTC and TAF in a specific dose ratio may offer treatment that is safe and effective. If so, a combination dispersible tablet containing these three medicines can be developed and this will allow the same HIV medicines to be used across children and adults.

This study will include 50 children aged 28 days to less than 10 years old who are living with HIV. All participants will receive the same treatment with DTG, FTC and TAF. Depending on their weight, participants will receive a certain number of tablets that can be dispersed and taken once a day. All children in the study will have clinical assessments. Blood tests will be performed to make sure that the medicines are safe and, at some visits, participants and carers will also be asked to answer some questions on taking medicine and how medicine tastes. All children will be followed up for 24 weeks.

Connect with a study center

  • Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation

    Kampala,
    Uganda

    Active - Recruiting

  • Joint Research Centre

    Kampala,
    Uganda

    Active - Recruiting

  • University of Zimbabwe Clinical Research Centre

    Harare,
    Zimbabwe

    Active - Recruiting

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