Effects of Long-Term Treatment With Valaciclovir (Valtrex) on Epstein-Barr Virus
Information source: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)
Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on June 20, 2008
Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record.
Condition(s) targeted: Epstein Barr Virus Infection; Healthy
Phase: N/A
Status: Active, not recruiting
Sponsored by: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Summary
This study will examine the effects of long-term antiviral therapy with valaciclovir
(Valtrex) on Epstein-Barr virus infection. This virus infects more than 95 percent of people
in the United States. Most are infected in childhood, have no symptoms, and are unaware of
their infection. People infected as adolescents or adults may develop infectious
mononucleosis, which usually resolves completely. Once infected, most people shed the virus
from their throat occasionally, and all carry the virus in their white blood cells for life.
This study will determine whether the amount of virus in the blood declines or disappears
with long-term valaciclovir treatment.
Normal volunteers who are not taking any antiviral medicines and patients enrolled in NIH's
protocol no. 97-I-0168 (Evaluation of Valaciclovir for Prevention of Herpes Simplex Virus
Transmission) or Glaxo-Wellcome protocol HS2AB 3009 at collaborating centers may be eligible
for this study. Patients in the multi-center study must be about to start valaciclovir
therapy for at least 1 year. All candidates must be 18 years of age or older.
Study participants will be seen in clinic for about 1 hour every 3 months for a year. During
these visits, they will provide information about the medicines they are taking, gargle twice
with salt water and spit the fluid into a tube, and have blood drawn (no more than 8
teaspoons each visit). The blood and gargled fluid will be tested for the amount of
Epstein-Barr virus and antibodies to the virus. (Blood samples will also be tested for HLA
type in order to do immunologic studies in the laboratory. HLA is a marker of the immune
system that is similar to blood-typing testing.)
The results in people taking valaciclovir will be compared with those in people not taking
the drug. People whose results show the virus has disappeared from the body will continue to
be followed twice a year for 5 years with the blood and gargling tests to continue to look
for evidence of virus. Also, people who develop symptoms resembling mononucleosis (e. g.,
enlarged lymph nodes with fever and sore throat) will be asked to have their blood tested for
the virus.
Clinical Details
Official title: Persistence of Epstein-Barr Virus in Vivo
Study design: N/A
Detailed description:
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the cause of heterophile-positive infectious mononucleosis.
After primary EBV infection, the virus persists in resting memory B lymphocytes and can be
detected in oropharyngeal secretions. Short term (1 month) treatment with oral acyclovir,
which inhibits EBV replication, results in loss of virus shedding from the oropharynx, but
the virus persists in B cells. The goal of this study is to determine if EBV will no longer
persist in B cells in patients treated with long term (20 month) oral valaciclovir (which is
metabolized to acyclovir). Blood samples and throat washings will be obtained every three
months from individuals who are receiving valaciclovir for treatment of genital herpes
simplex virus infection. These samples will be analyzed for EBV DNA to determine if the
level of EBV DNA declines or becomes negative with long term antiviral therapy. If the level
of EBV DNA becomes undetectable in EBV-seropositive persons during the study, we will ask the
patients to return twice a year for five years or if they develop symptoms of mononucleosis,
so that EBV DNA in their blood and throat washings can be studied. Knowledge gained from
this study should provide important insights into the mechanism of persistence of EBV
infection.
Eligibility
Minimum age: 18 Years.
Maximum age: N/A.
Gender(s): Both.
Criteria:
- INCLUSION CRITERIA:
1. 18 years of age or older and deemed healthy by current medical status and
laboratory tests.
2. Willing to be seen every three months for one year.
3. Have symptomatic recurrent genital herpes disease confirmed by their private
medical doctor.
4. Eligible for suppressive antiviral therapy for genital herpes disease: history of
genital herpes AND either a positive culture for HSV from the genital area or a
positive serology for HSV-2 from the patient's private physician. If the subject
does not have a positive HSV genital culture or HSV-2 serology, we will confirm
the diagnosis by an HSV-2 Western Blot.
5. Recurrence rate between 3 and 9 recurrences a year.
6. Have never taken or have been off HSV suppressive therapy for three months prior
to entering study.
7. In opinion of investigator, subjects must be able to comply with protocol
requirements.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
1. Subjects who are known or suspected to be immunocompromised. This includes subjects
receiving immunosuppressive therapy, subjects with malignancy or subjects who
acknowledge being seropositive for HIV.
2. Subjects with a history of 10 or more HSV recurrences per year.
3. Impaired real function as defined by serum creatine greater than 1. 5 mg/dl (133uM).
4. Impaired hepatic function as defined by an alanine transaminase (ALT) level greater
than 3 times the normal upper limit.
5. Known hypersensitivity to acyclovir, valaciclovir, famciclovir, or ganciclovir.
6. Malabsorption syndrome or other gastro-intestinal dysfunction that might impair drug
dynamics.
7. Women contemplating pregnancy within the year's duration of receiving valaciclovir
from us.
8. Women of child bearing potential not using an effective method of contraception.
Effective contraception is use of birth control pills or use of a barrier method (e. g.
condom) with a spermicide.
9. Positive pregnancy test (or pregnant females or nursing mothers).
10. Swallowing disorders which would make gargling difficult.
Locations and Contacts
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, United States
Additional Information
NIH Clinical Center Detailed Web Page
Related publications: Babcock GJ, Decker LL, Volk M, Thorley-Lawson DA. EBV persistence in memory B cells in vivo. Immunity. 1998 Sep;9(3):395-404.
Starting date: June 2000
Last updated: April 26, 2008
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