Bococizumab HIV Evaluation (B-HIVE) Study
Bococizumab HIV Evaluation (B-HIVE) Study
B-HIVE is a Phase 3, double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel group study,
 designed to compare the efficacy and safety of bococizumab 150 mg subcutaneously every 2
 weeks to bococizumab placebo subcutaneously every 2 weeks for LDL-C lowering in HIV-infected
 subjects.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to atherosclerosis continues to be the leading single cause
 of death in industrialized countries. High serum lipid levels, and especially high
 low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, have been demonstrated to strongly and
 directly correlate with CVD risks by numerous epidemiological studies. Moreover, large
 prospective clinical outcome trials have demonstrated that lowering LDL-C decreases
 cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (1). A meta-analysis of 26 randomized clinical trials
 comprising 170,000 participants showed that more intensive statin therapy compared to less
 intensive regimens will reduce coronary deaths or myocardial infarction by an additional 13%
 (2).

 HIV-infected individuals represent a unique and increasing subset of atherosclerosis. With
 the advent of antiretroviral therapy, HIV-infected individuals now have much improved
 survival and are faced with health issues related to aging, including cardiovascular disease.
 Individuals with HIV have higher rates of coronary events compared to controls even in the
 setting of treated and suppressed disease and a growing body of literature suggests that they
 are at increased risk for myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, and sudden cardiac death
 (3-5). Many facets of atherosclerosis differ in HIV-infected individuals compared to
 uninfected individuals with atherosclerosis. HIV-infected patients with acute coronary
 syndromes are younger and more likely to be males and smokers, with low high density
 lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), compared to other acute coronary syndrome patients (6). With
 respect to pathophysiology, viral replication, antiretroviral drugs and inflammation all
 contribute to atherosclerosis (7,8).

 HIV-associated inflammation induces pro-atherogenic lipid abnormalities and anti-retroviral
 therapy leads to the development of metabolic abnormalities such as dyslipidemia,
 lipodystrophy and insulin resistance (9,10) In a large cross-sectional study, 27% of subjects
 receiving combination therapy including a protease inhibitor had a total cholesterol level
 exceeding 240 mg/dl, compared to 8% of untreated HIV subjects, and 40% had triglyceride
 levels above 200 mg/dl, compared to 15% in untreated subjects (11). The prevalence and
 severity of dyslipidemia varies among different antiretroviral drugs; (9) however,
 hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-cholesterol were associated with HIV infection even before
 the advent of antiretroviral therapy (12). Total, HDL-C, and LDL-C decrease at the time of
 HIV infection, and with antiretroviral treatment total and LDL-C levels increase to
 pre-infection levels while HDL-C remains low (13).

 Abnormalities in body composition have been reported in 40-50% of HIV-infected patients, with
 higher rates in those receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (9). Subcutaneous
 lipoatrophy commonly affects the face, limbs, and buttocks, and is accompanied by central fat
 accumulation. Hyperinsulinemia is often also present. In a representative study, (14)
 diabetes was present in 7% of HIV-infected adults with fat accumulation or lipoatrophy, as
 compared to 0.5% of control subjects matched for age and BMI. The corresponding rates of
 glucose intolerance were 35% and 5% respectively (14). Compared to healthy control subjects,
 HIV-infected men treated with combination antiretroviral therapy were 4 times as likely to
 develop diabetes over a 3-year observation period (15).

 The increased cardiovascular risk and dyslipidemia in HIV-infected individuals is difficult
 to treat for several reasons. Statins reduce LDL-C levels less in HIV-infected individuals
 compared to uninfected controls (16). Fibrates reduce triglyceride levels less in
 HIV-infected individuals compared to uninfected controls as well (16). Drug-drug interactions
 between statins and protease inhibitors increase the risk of adverse events (17,18). Due to
 these interactions, simvastatin and lovastatin are contraindicated among individuals
 receiving protease inhibitors and the dose of atorvastatin should not exceed 40 mg (17). Even
 interactions with rosuvastatin, which is not metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system, have
 been described (19,20).

 As a consequence, physicians may avoid treating HIV-infected individuals who would benefit
 from statins, or use lower doses or less potent statins, reducing the potential for
 cardiovascular event reduction. High triglyceride levels in HIV-infected subjects are common,
 and the combination of a fibrate plus antiretroviral therapy increases the risk of drug-drug
 adverse events, even before consideration of a statin.

 Statin treatment reduces lipid levels modestly in HIV subjects. Among 72 HIV-infected
 subjects in the SATURN-HIV trial randomized to rosuvastatin 10 mg/day, LDL-C was reduced by
 25.3% by week 24 (21). In another study, of 83 HIV-infected subjects, rosuvastatin 10 mg and
 pravastatin 40 mg/day reduced LDL-C by 37% and 19% respectively at 45 days (22). Among 151
 HIV-infected subjects randomized to rosuvastatin 10 mg, atorvastatin 10 mg, or pravastatin 40
 mg/day, LDL-C reductions were greater with rosuvastatin at this dose, but all 3 statins
 significantly and similarly reduced serum levels of hs-CRP and TNF (23).

 That statins might favorably influence the evolution of atherosclerosis in HIV-infected
 subjects is suggested by a recent trial where 40 HIV subjects with mild coronary
 atherosclerosis by CT angiography and aortic inflammation by FDG-PET imaging were randomized
 to atorvastatin 20-40 mg/day or placebo and were followed for 12 months (24). Atorvastatin
 significantly reduced non-calcified coronary plaque volume relative to placebo, as well as
 the number of high-risk plaques.

 Approximately 1/3 of individuals with HIV-infection are co-infected with hepatitis C (25).
 Elevated hepatic enzymes due to hepatitis C represent a relative contraindication to statin
 therapy, and some evidence suggests that a statin might increase hepatitis C activity (26).
 Finally, HIV-infected patients often need many medications and have a large daily pill
 burden. Compliance suffers, but has been shown to improve when single tablet regimens reduce
 daily pill load.27 Long-acting injectable antiretroviral drugs are under development as a
 strategy to reduce pill burden and improve compliance (28). PCSK9 inhibitor injections would
 dovetail well with this approach. For these reasons, PCSK9 inhibitor therapy offers
 advantages over statin therapy in this unique population.

 Bococizumab (RN316/PF-04950615) is a novel humanized PCSK9 monoclonal antibody. In a 24-week,
 multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial, the LDL-C lowering
 effects of bococizumab, administered every 2 or 4 weeks in statin-treated adults with LDL-C
 ≥80 mg/dL was assessed (29). Subjects were randomized to placebo, bococizumab 50 mg, 100 mg,
 or 150 mg every 2 weeks, or placebo, bococizumab 200 mg or 300 mg monthly. The dose was
 reduced if LDL-C was ≤25 mg/dL. The primary analysis was the placebo-adjusted treatment
 difference for the change from baseline in LDL-C at week 12.

 Overall, 354 patients were randomized, 351 received study treatment, and 299 completed the
 study. Bococizumab significantly reduced LDL-C across all doses. The placebo-adjusted LDL-C
 reduction at 12 weeks for the 2-weekly dosing regimen was 34.3% with 50 mg, 45.1% for 100 mg
 and 53.4% for 150 mg, and for the monthly dosing regimen was 27.6% for 200 mg and 44.9% for
 300 mg. The incidence and profile of adverse events were similar across placebo and
 bococizumab groups.

 Based on these findings, 150 mg every 2 weeks was selected as the dose for phase III trials,
 including this trial. Because multiple doses of bococizumab as high as 150 mg every 2 weeks
 and 300 mg every 4 weeks up to 12 weeks were safe and well tolerated, the primary rationale
 for dose selection was the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model that predicted LDL-C change
 from baseline. Based on population PK/PD modeling, a dose of 150 mg every 2 weeks in patients
 on a background of statins is estimated to be equivalent to approximately 80% of the maximal
 response for LDL-C lowering (-67%). Assuming an average LDL C at baseline of 100 mg/dL for
 HIV-infected individuals, the mean absolute LDL-C reduction is predicted to be approximately
 60 mg/dL.
Inclusion Criteria:

 1. Evidence of a personally signed and dated informed consent document indicating that
 the subject (or a legal representative) has been informed of all pertinent aspects of
 the study.

 2. Subjects who are willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment plan,
 laboratory tests, and other study procedures.

 3. Males and females greater than 40 years of age.

 4. With documented HIV infection.

 5. Moderate or high CVD risk defined as:

 documented CVD as assessed by meeting at least 1 of 3 criteria below:

 1. Coronary artery disease (CAD): prior MI due to atherosclerosis, coronary artery
 bypass graft surgery, percutaneous coronary intervention, or angiographic CAD
 with luminal diameter stenosis of at least one coronary artery at least 50%.

 2. Cerebrovascular disease: prior ischemic stroke of carotid origin, carotid
 endarterectomy or stenting, or angiographic carotid stenosis of at least 50%.

 3. Peripheral arterial disease: prior lower extremity arterial surgical or
 percutaneous revascularization procedure, or angiographic lower extremity
 arterial stenosis of at least 50%.

 OR any one of the following CVD risk factors:

 1. Controlled type II diabetes mellitus (HbA1C ≤8.0% within the past 90 days prior
 to study entry, regardless of use of medications)

 2. Current smoking: participant report of smoking at least a half a pack of
 cigarettes a day, on average, in the past month.

 3. Hypertension: two consecutive BP readings with either systolic >140 mmHg or
 diastolic >90 mmHg; or on antihypertensive medications.

 4. Dyslipidemia: defined as or HDL-C ≤ 40 mg/dL for men or ≤50 mg/dL for women,
 regardless of medication use.

 5. a hsCRP ≥2mg/L at screening.

 6. Lipids at screening visit:

 -  Fasting LDL-C 70 mg/dL (1.81 mmol/L);

 -  Fasting TG ≤ 600 mg/dL (6.78 mmol/L).

 7. Male and female subjects of childbearing potential must agree to use a highly
 effective method of contraception throughout the study and for at least 63 days after
 the last dose of assigned treatment. A subject is of childbearing potential if, in the
 opinion of the investigator, he/she is biologically capable of having children and is
 sexually active.

 Female subjects who are not of childbearing potential (ie, meet at least one of the
 following criteria):

 -  Have undergone a documented hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy;

 -  Have medically confirmed ovarian failure; or

 -  Achieved post menopausal status, defined as: cessation of regular menses for at least
 12 consecutive months with no alternative pathological or physiological cause; and
 have a serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level within the laboratory's
 reference range for postmenopausal females.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 1. Subjects who are investigational site staff members directly involved in the conduct
 of the trial and their family members, site staff members otherwise supervised by the
 Investigator, or subjects who are Pfizer employees.

 2. Participation in other studies involving small molecule investigational drug(s)
 (Phases 1 4) within 1 month 5 half lives, whichever is longer except for cholesteryl
 ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors (indefinitely), or biological agents within 6
 months or 5 half lives, whichever is longer before the current study begins and/or
 during study participation (the investigator should refer to documents provided by the
 subject on the other study to determine the investigational product half life). If the
 blind has been broken and the Investigator knows (with documentation) that the subject
 received placebo, he/she can be included.

 3. Subjects with prior exposure to bococizumab or another PCSK9 inhibitor.

 4. Subjects who are unable to receive injections, as either a self-injection, or
 administered by another person.

 5. History of a cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event or procedure (eg, myocardial
 infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack, angioplasty) during the past 90 days.

 6. Congestive heart failure, New York Heart Association functional class IV, or left
 ventricular ejection fraction measured by imaging known to be <25%. (Imaging not
 required for study inclusion).

 7. Poorly controlled hypertension (on or off treatment) at screening visit or at
 randomization (defined as the average of two systolic blood pressure (BP) measurements
 greater than 160 mm Hg or the average of two diastolic BP measurements greater than
 100 mm Hg).

 8. Any history of hemorrhagic stroke or lacunar infarct.

 9. CD4 count at screening visit <350 cells/mm3.

 10. Current untreated hypothyroidism or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) >1 X upper limit
 of normal (ULN) at screening. Subjects who are treated and well controlled should be
 on a stable dose of thyroid hormone for at least 6 months.

 11. Current history of alcoholism or drug addiction according to the Diagnostic and
 Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) IV criteria within 12 months prior to
 screening. Use of any recreational drugs within 12 months prior to screening.

 12. History of cancer within the last 5 years (except for cutaneous basal cell or squamous
 cell cancer resolved by excision, or cervical carcinoma in si tu).

 13. Any disease or condition that might compromise the hematological, renal, hepatic,
 pulmonary, endocrine, central nervous, immune, or gastrointestinal systems (unless
 deemed not clinically significant by the Investigator and/or the Sponsor) or confound
 the interpretation of the study results. Examples of such conditions include but are
 not limited to nephrotic syndrome, uncontrolled diabetes, excessive alcohol
 consumption, cholestatic liver disease, unstable mental illness.

 14. Undergoing apheresis or have a planned start of apheresis.

 15. Initiation of or change in non-lipid lowering prescription drugs, herbal medicine or
 supplements (including foods with added plant sterols and stanols) within 6 weeks of
 screening with the exception of initiation or change in multivitamins used for general
 health purposes. Short-term use of medications to treat acute conditions, and vaccines
 are allowed (e.g., antibiotics or allergy medication).

 16. History of allergic or anaphylactic reaction to any therapeutic or diagnostic
 monoclonal antibody (IgG protein) or molecules made of components of monoclonal
 antibodies (eg, Enbrel® which contains the Fc portion of an antibody or Lucentis®
 which is a Fab).

 17. Any abnormal hematology values, clinical chemistries, or ECGs at screening judged by
 the Investigator as clinically significant, which could impact on subject safety, were
 the potential subject to be included in the study, or interfere with the
 interpretation of study results.

 18. Active phase hepatitis. Stable patients with hepatitis B or C infection >2 years
 before randomization are eligible.

 19. Aspartate transaminase (AST) or alanine transaminase (ALT) >5 X ULN at screening.

 20. Direct bilirubin >4.0 X ULN at screening.

 21. GFR <30 mL/min/1.73m2 at screening or undergoing dialysis.

 22. Plans to donate blood during the study.

 23. Pregnant females; breastfeeding females.

 24. Additional exclusion criteria for the FDG-PET/CT imaging (patients with these
 exclusions may participate in the rest of the trial):

 1. Significant radiation exposure during the year prior to randomization.
 Significant exposure is defined as i) more than 2 PCI procedures, ii) more than 2
 myocardial perfusion studies, or iii) more than 2 CT angiograms.

 2. Any history of radiation therapy.

 3. Current insulin use.

 25. Additional exclusion criteria for CTA imaging (patients with these exclusions may
 participate in the rest of the trial):

 1. Significant radiation exposure during the year prior to randomization.
 Significant exposure is defined as i) more than 2 PCI procedures, ii) more than 2
 myocardial perfusion studies, or iii) more than 2 CT angiograms (as with
 FDG-PET/CT.

 2. Any history of radiation therapy (as with FDG-PET/CT).

 3. Any contraindication to beta-blocker or nitroglycerin use, because these drugs
 are given as part of the standard cardiac CT protocol.

 4. Significant renal dysfunction (defined as an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m2).

 5. Body weight >300 pounds (136 Kg), because of the CT scanner table limitations.

 6. Allergy to iodine-containing contrast media.