A Randomized Study of Activity, Safety, and Tolerance of Oral Ro 24-7429 (Tat Antagonist) in Patients With HIV Infection

To study the anti-HIV activity of the various doses of Ro 24-7429 monotherapy based on virologic and immunologic endpoints. To study the safety and tolerance of Ro 24-7429. To explore relationships between exposure to Ro 24-7429 and its metabolites and antiviral activity and drug toxicity. To determine a safe, tolerable, and active dose regimen of Ro 24-7429, and to make preliminary observations of Ro 24-7429 in combination with another antiretroviral nucleoside. The HIV genome contains a number of genes that regulate viral replication. Control of the activity of these genes and their encoded proteins represents a potential target for development of new antiretroviral drugs. The tat (transactivator of transcription of HIV) antagonist Ro 24-7429 is the first compound for clinical testing that utilizes this approach for therapy of HIV infection. The HIV genome contains a number of genes that regulate viral replication. Control of the activity of these genes and their encoded proteins represents a potential target for development of new antiretroviral drugs. The tat (transactivator of transcription of HIV) antagonist Ro 24-7429 is the first compound for clinical testing that utilizes this approach for therapy of HIV infection. Ninety-six patients (four treatment arms of 24 patients each) are randomized to receive oral Ro 24-7429 at 1 of 3 doses or nucleoside control (either zidovudine or didanosine). The study will be blinded only for the arms receiving Ro 24-7429. Treatment continues for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, patients on the nucleoside control arm receive the highest tolerated dose of Ro 24-7429 in addition to their nucleoside.