Cholesterol and Inflammation Lowering Via Bempedoic Acid, an ACL-inhibiting Regimen in HIV Trial (CLEAR HIV Trial)

This is a randomized placebo-controlled study in treated and suppressed HIV-infected individuals aged ≥40 years with either known CVD or 1 CVD risk factor to study the effect of Bempedoic acid (BA) on safety, arterial inflammation as assessed by FDG-PET/CT, lipids, inflammation, immune activation, cardiometabolic indices, and non-calcified plaque (NCP) in the coronary arteries (assessed by coronary CT angiography, CCTA). This trial will be enrolled at UCSF and UCLA. Collaborators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) will serve as the core facility for imaging.

Persons living with HIV infection (PLWH) have a 2-fold higher risk of myocardial infarction and are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease accounting for a significant global burden of disease. While the mechanism underlying this excess risk remains poorly understood, studies demonstrate that atherosclerosis in the setting of HIV is distinct and characterized by heightened arterial inflammation as assessed by FDG-PET/CT. HIV and antiretroviral medication can worsen cardiometabolic parameters. Thus a therapeutic strategy that can lower lipids, inflammation, and improve glycemic parameters may be even more advantageous in HIV. Bempedoic acid (BA, an inhibitor of ATP citrate lyase), is safely tolerated, significantly lowers LDL-C and inflammatory markers (on top of statin therapy), and is FDA approved for individuals with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or with established ASCVD who require additional LDL-C lowering. Additionally, BA has a protective effect on glycemic parameters and may reduce adiposity. Given the key role of lipids and inflammation in atherosclerosis in HIV, the purpose of this proof-of-concept mechanistic trial is to evaluate the impact of BA on the biology of HIV-associated atherosclerosis. This is a randomized placebo controlled study of effectively treated PLWH aged 40 years and older with either known CVD or 1 CVD risk factor to study the effect of BA on arterial inflammation (assessed by FDG-PET/CT), lipid levels, biomarkers of inflammatory/immune activation, cardiometabolic indices, and non-calcified plaque in the coronary arteries (assessed by CCTA). This multicenter trial will include PLWH enrolled at UCSF and UCLA. Long term collaborators at MGH will serve as the core facility for the imaging end-points. There are three specific aims for the: Cholesterol and inflammation Lowering via BEmpedoic Acid, an ACL-inhibiting Regimen in HIV Trial (CLEAR HIV Trial): Aim 1: To determine whether BA can safely reduce arterial inflammation including carotid plaque as assessed by FDG-PET/CT; Aim 2: To determine whether BA improves cardiometabolic measures (lipid, inflammatory, glycemic and adipose parameters) among PLWH. Exploratory objectives will be to assess BA's effect (vs. placebo) on glycemic as well as adipose tissue measures (HbA1c, HOMA IR, and adipose tissue volumes); Aim 3: To evaluate the impact of BA on non-calcified coronary plaque volume as measured by coronary CT angiography (CCTA).