Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate Salvage Therapy in HIV-Infected Children and a Study of Its Effect on Bone Metabolism

Detailed Summary

This study will examine the long-term effects, particularly on bone metabolism, of the drug tenofovir DF in children with HIV infection. Tenofovir DF is approved for treating HIV-infected adults, but its use in children has not yet been approved. The drug may be helpful for children who have been treated with many other drugs and still have detectable HIV in their blood despite ongoing therapy. In a previous study, many children given tenofovir DF responded well, with increases in T-cell counts and decreases in viral load. However, many children also experienced bone thinning. This study will explore the problem of bone thinning in children taking tenofovir DF in combination with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HIV-infected patients from 4 to 20 years old who are taking tenofovir DF or for whom tenofovir DF treatment has been recommended may be eligible for this 3-year study. Participants take tenofovir DF every day in addition to their antiretroviral therapy. They have frequent follow-up visits for tests and procedures as follows: * Study days 0, 2, and 4: blood tests. * Screening and every study visit starting day 6: Physical exam, medical history, blood and urine tests. * Baseline and every 48 weeks: Dental and eye examinations, kidney ultrasound, tuberculin skin testing, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, computed tomography (CT) scan, neuropsychological testing and neurologic assessment. * The bone age hand x-rays are done every 24 weeks, unless the growth plates are fused (i.e. the child has stopped growing) * DEXAs are done at 0, 12, 24 weeks and every 24 weeks thereafter. Dual energy x-ray absorptionometry (DEXA) scan is used to assess bone density. The patient lies still on a table while the spine and hip are scanned using a small amount of radiation. Only the spine and hip are scanned in the DEXA scan test. * Baseline and week 24: Optional bone biopsy. Some patients are asked to undergo a bone biopsy to better understand the effect of Tenofovir DF on bone. For the procedure, the child is given a sedative. The skin over the hipbone is numbed with a small needle, a small incision is made and a larger needle is inserted into the bone. Some of the bone tissue is withdrawn through the needle and the incision is closed. * Possible lumbar puncture (spinal tap): This optional procedure analyzes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord. The patient is given a local anesthetic and a needle is inserted into the space between the bones in the lower back where the CSF circulates below the spinal cord. A small amount of fluid is collected through the needle. There is no specific schedule for this procedure if the patient opts for it. Patients who are benefiting from tenofovir DF therapy but show signs of bone effects are offered treatment with pamidronate (Aredia), a drug used to treat hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood). Patients who stop taking tenofovir DF because of bone toxicity continue to be followed on the regular study schedule. Those who stop the drug for toxicity other than bone toxicity or for toxicity not related to tenofovir DF are followed every 4 weeks until their laboratory test results improve.

Study Details

Timeline

Interventions