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Cannabis Effects on Antiretroviral Therapy Pharmacokinetics and Neurotoxicity

Phase 2
Recruiting
Conditions
Cannabis Use
HIV
Interventions
Registration Number
NCT04800159
Lead Sponsor
University of California, San Diego
Brief Summary

This study will address whether cannabis affects antiretroviral therapy (ART) drug concentrations, mood, and thinking. The project will have two phases. Phase 1 is an observational study, in which 120 people will be assessed to evaluate the effects of chronic cannabis use on ART drug concentrations, mood, and thinking. In Phase 2, the study will administer cannabis (or placebo) to 40 people to examine its acute effects on ART drug concentrations.

Detailed Description

People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) commonly use cannabis but whether cannabis affects the antiretroviral therapy (ART) that treats HIV is not well known. Cannabis can inhibit the activity of enzymes that metabolize and eliminate ART drugs from the body, which could result in higher concentrations of ART drugs in the body. Cannabis may also affect the distribution of ART drugs into the brain, which could have both beneficial (e.g., better HIV control) and detrimental (e.g., toxicity) effects. The effects of cannabis may are likely influenced by factors like how much is used (e.g., light vs. heavy use) and the route of use (e.g., smoked vs. ingested). This study will address whether cannabis affects ART concentrations in blood and cerebrospinal fluid as well as mood, and thinking. The project will have two phases. Phase 1 is an observational study, in which 120 people will be assessed once to evaluate the effects of chronic cannabis use on ART drug concentrations, mood, and thinking. In Phase 2, the study will administer cannabis (or placebo) to 40 people to examine its acute effects on ART drug concentrations.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
CBD CannabisCBD Cannabis0.35% THC/ 11.27% CBD
THC CannabisTHC Cannabis11.86% THC/ 1.12% CBD
PlaceboPlacebo≤ 0.01% THC/ ≤ 0.01% CBD
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
1b iii. Comparison between the effects of placebo and THC on ART pharmacokinetics and between the effects of placebo and CBD on ART pharmacokinetics3 to 11 days

Comparison of the the area under the time-concentration curve of ART pharmacokinetics for placebo and THC and placebo and CBD (n=40). The effect size will be measured as the standardized difference in mean outcomes between any two groups (Cohen's d).

1a iii. Change in ART drug concentrations in blood2 hours; measured before ART ingestion and at 2 hours after the ART ingestion

This will be done separately for CYP and UGT groups (estimated N=60 in each).

3a. ii. Correlation between HIV DNA and ART drug concentration.Up to 5 weeks: baseline to administration visits

Multivariable logistic regressions will be used for testing correlation between HIV DNA and ART drug concentration (N=60 in each UGT and CYP groups).

3b ii. Effects of cannabis use on the correlation between ART and depression.3 to 11 days

Depression (measured with the Beck Depression Inventory-II) will be regressed in multivariable models on ART drug concentration and cannabis use, their interaction, and known confounders and relevant covariates.

3b v. Effects of cannabis use on the correlation between ART and emotional health.3 to 11 days

The National Institutes of Health Toolbox-Emotional Battery outcome, Psychological Wellbeing, will be regressed in multivariable models on ART drug concentration and cannabis use, their interaction, and known confounders and relevant covariates. This measure ranges between 0 and 100 with lower values reflecting worse Psychological Wellbeing.

1b i. Effects of placebo, THC, and CBD on ART drug concentration5 hours

The investigators will use a mixed effects model to assess effects of acute cannabis treatment (placebo, THC, or CBD: N=40) on the area under the time-drug concentration curve.

1b iv. Comparison between the effects of placebo and CBD on the CSF/plasma ratio of ART drug concentrations and between the effects of placebo and THC on the CSF/plasma ratio of ART drug concentrations3 to 11 days

Comparison of the the CSF/plasma ratio of ART drug concentrations with placebo and CBD and with placebo and THC (n=40). The effect size will be measured as the standardized difference in mean outcomes between any two groups (Cohen's d).

2b. Examine the correlation between ART concentration in CSF and blood during placebo treatment compared to THC and CBD administration.3 to 11 days

The investigators will use a mixed effects model to evaluate the effects of cannabis on the correlation between ART concentration in CSF and blood (n = 40).

1a i. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) drug concentration in bloodCross-sectional; measured before ART ingestion

This will be done separately for participants who use ART drugs that are predominantly metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) or uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) (estimated N=60 in each).

1a ii. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/plasma ratio of ART drug concentrationsCross-sectional; measured before ART ingestion

This will be done separately for CYP and UGT groups (estimated N=60 in each).

1a iv. Change in CSF/plasma ratio of ART drug concentrations2 hours; measured before ART ingestion and at 2 hours after the ART ingestion

This will be done separately for CYP and UGT groups (estimated N=60 in each).

1b ii. Effects of placebo, THC and CBD on the CSF/plasma ratio of ART drug concentrations5 hours

The investigators will use a mixed effects model to assess effects of acute cannabis treatment (placebo, THC, or CBD: N=40) on CSF/plasma ratio of ART drug concentrations

2a. Effects of chronic cannabis use on the CSF/serum albumin ratio and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression.3 to 11 days

Multivariate linear regression will be used to regress markers of blood-brain barrier integrity and P-gp on cannabis use (n = 120), then ART drug concentrations on blood-brain barrier integrity and P-gp separately for the UGT and CYP groups

2c. Effects of THC or CBD on uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity compared to placebo.3 to 11 days

The investigators will use a mixed effects model to examine the effects of drug treatment on UGT metabolism (n = 40).

3b iii. Effects of cannabis use on the correlation between ART and emotional health.3 to 11 days

The National Institutes of Health Toolbox-Emotional Battery outcome, Negative Affect, will be regressed in multivariable models on ART drug concentration and cannabis use, their interaction, and known confounders and relevant covariates. This measure ranges between 0 and 100 with higher values reflecting more Negative Affect.

3b iv. Effects of cannabis use on the correlation between ART and emotional health.3 to 11 days

The National Institutes of Health Toolbox-Emotional Battery outcome, Social Satisfaction, will be regressed in multivariable models on ART drug concentration and cannabis use, their interaction, and known confounders and relevant covariates. This measure ranges between 0 and 100 with lower values reflecting worse Social Satisfaction.

3b vi. Effects of cannabis use on the correlation between ART and neurotoxicity.3 to 11 days

A measure of neurotoxicity (mitochondrial DNA) will be regressed in multivariable models on ART drug concentration and cannabis use, their interaction, and known confounders and relevant covariates.

3a. i. Correlation between CD4+ T-cell count and ART drug concentration.Up to 5 weeks: baseline to administration visits

Multivariable linear regressions will be used for testing correlation between CD4+ T-cell count and ART drug concentration (N=60 in each UGT and CYP groups).

3b i. Effects of cannabis use on the correlation between ART and neurocognitive performance.3 to 11 days

The total cognitive outcome from the National Institutes of Health Toolbox will be regressed in multivariable models on ART drug concentration and cannabis use, their interaction, and known confounders and relevant covariates. Values range from 0 to 100 with lower values being worse.

3b vii. Effects of cannabis use on the correlation between ART and neurotoxicity.3 to 11 days

A measure of neurotoxicity (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine) will be regressed in multivariable models on ART drug concentration and cannabis use, their interaction, and known confounders and relevant covariates.

3b viii. Effects of cannabis use on the correlation between ART and neurotoxicity.3 to 11 days

A measure of neurotoxicity (F2-isoprostane) will be regressed in multivariable models on ART drug concentration and cannabis use, their interaction, and known confounders and relevant covariates.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
1b vi. Comparison between the effects of THC and CBD on the CSF/plasma ratio of ART drug concentrations.3 to 11 days

Comparison of treatment arm to the CSF/plasma ratio of ART drug concentrations.

1b v. Comparison between the effects of THC and CBD on ART pharmacokinetics.3 to 11 days

Comparison of the treatment arm to the the area under the time-concentration curve of ART pharmacokinetics (n=40).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ucsd Hnrp-Cmcr

🇺🇸

San Diego, California, United States

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