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Monoclonal Antibodies

PCSK9 Inhibition for HIV-Related Cardiovascular Risk (EPIC-HIV Trial)

Phase 3
Recruiting
Led By Priscilla Hsue, MD
Research Sponsored by University of California, San Francisco
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Males and females equal or greater than 40 years of age
Moderate or high CVD risk as defined by specific criteria
Must not have
Subjects who are unable to receive injections, as either a self-injection, or administered by another person
Active phase hepatitis
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline, week 24 and week 52
Awards & highlights
Pivotal Trial

Summary

This trial will study whether a drug that lowers cholesterol can also reduce inflammation and improve endothelial function in people with HIV.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for men and women over 40 with HIV, on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least 12 weeks, who have cardiovascular disease (CVD) or are at risk. They should not have had recent changes in heart or cholesterol medications, severe heart failure, uncontrolled blood pressure, certain medical conditions including recent cancer, or be pregnant. Participants must also have controlled HIV viral loads and meet specific criteria for cholesterol levels.
What is being tested?
The EPIC-HIV Study tests whether a drug called alirocumab can reduce vascular inflammation and improve endothelial function in people with treated HIV infection compared to a placebo. The study will use advanced imaging techniques to assess the effects of PCSK9 inhibition on arterial inflammation and non-calcified plaque in participants' arteries.
What are the potential side effects?
Alirocumab may cause side effects like injection site reactions, flu-like symptoms, muscle pain or weakness, allergic reactions such as rash or swelling. It's generally well-tolerated but monitoring is necessary due to potential immune system impacts.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am 40 years old or older.
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I am at moderate or high risk for heart disease.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I cannot receive injections, either by myself or from someone else.
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I have active hepatitis.
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I am scheduled for or currently undergoing a procedure to remove abnormal cells from my blood.
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I am not currently participating in any studies with experimental drugs.
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I need insulin every day.
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My heart's pumping ability is severely reduced.
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My high blood pressure is not well-managed.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline, week 24 and week 52
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline, week 24 and week 52 for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
FDG PET/CT Endpoint
Secondary study objectives
Flow mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery (FMD) endpoint
Other study objectives
Coronary CTA Endpoint

Side effects data

From 2017 Phase 3 trial • 233 Patients • NCT02023879
19%
Viral upper respiratory tract infection
15%
Back pain
15%
Injection site reaction
10%
Oedema peripheral
10%
Bronchitis
10%
Urinary tract infection
8%
Upper respiratory tract infection
8%
Influenza
8%
Headache
8%
Dizziness
6%
Osteoarthritis
6%
Arthralgia
6%
Hyperkalaemia
6%
Nausea
6%
Fatigue
4%
Pneumonia
4%
Hypertension
4%
Diarrhoea
4%
Syncope
4%
Musculoskeletal pain
4%
Fall
2%
Rhabdomyolysis
2%
Rash
2%
Cough
2%
Breast cancer
2%
Peripheral artery stenosis
2%
Faecaloma
2%
Myalgia
2%
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
2%
Pain in extremity
2%
Sinusitis
2%
Cellulitis
2%
Lumbar spinal stenosis
2%
Gout
2%
Atrial fibrillation
2%
Non-cardiac chest pain
2%
Cerebellar infarction
2%
Basal cell carcinoma
2%
Mental disorder
2%
Jaw fracture
2%
Arthritis
2%
Musculoskeletal chest pain
2%
Muscle spasms
2%
Small intestinal obstruction
2%
Hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy
2%
Coronary artery disease
2%
Cardio-respiratory arrest
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Alirocumab 150 mg Q4W (After Alirocumab 150 Q4W/Up150 Q2W)
Placebo Q2W
Alirocumab 75 mg Q2W/Up150 mg Q2W
Alirocumab 150 mg Q4W/Up150 mg Q2W
Alirocumab 150 mg Q4W (After Placebo Q2W)
Alirocumab 150 mg Q4W (After Alirocumab 75 Q2W/Up150 Q2W)

Awards & Highlights

Pivotal Trial
The final step before approval, pivotal trials feature drugs that have already shown basic safety & efficacy.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: AlirocumabExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Patients randomized into the alirocumab arm will start off with 75 mg alirocumab administered every two weeks for two doses and will be upwardly titrated to 150 mg alirocumab if subjects demonstrate LDL ≥ 50 mg/dL at week 4. Subjects demonstrating LDL-C \<50mg/dl will remain on the same 75mg dose throughout the trial.
Group II: PlaceboPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Patients randomized into the placebo arm will receive 75 mg or 150 mg or placebo administered once every two weeks throughout the trial
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Alirocumab
2012
Completed Phase 3
~23510

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

University of California, San FranciscoLead Sponsor
2,587 Previous Clinical Trials
14,901,036 Total Patients Enrolled
Massachusetts General HospitalOTHER
3,015 Previous Clinical Trials
13,309,220 Total Patients Enrolled
Priscilla Hsue, MDPrincipal Investigator - University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco General Hospital, University of California SFGH Medical Group
University Of California (Medical School)
University Ca Sf School Of Medicine (Residency)
12 Previous Clinical Trials
1,716 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Alirocumab (Monoclonal Antibodies) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT03207945 — Phase 3
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Research Study Groups: Alirocumab, Placebo
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Clinical Trial 2023: Alirocumab Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT03207945 — Phase 3
Alirocumab (Monoclonal Antibodies) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT03207945 — Phase 3
~19 spots leftby Nov 2025