This arm of the RIO Trial is now closed to recruitment!
Thank you to all our fantastic participants, clinical sites and study teams.
What is the aim of the RIO Arm C study?
The first part of the RIO study (Arms A and B) looked at whether a new type of treatment called bNAbs (broadly neutralising antibodies) could keep viral load undetectable without antiretroviral treatment (ART).
The results showed that the bNAbs suppressed HIV for 20 weeks in 75% of participants. Please see link here to read more on the results of arms A and B.
RIO Arm C is looking at the best time to give bNAbs. This will involve asking all participants to stop ART several times.
The study will measure how long viral load stays undetectable without ART. It will also look at blood samples to see what happens to HIV and the immune system. When HIV becomes detectable above a certain level (viral rebound) ART is re-started.
RIO is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Imperial College London is the trial Sponsor. The research is being jointly run by Imperial College London, The University of Oxford and The Rockefeller University.
Which treatments are being used?
The treatment involves using two bNAbs (pronounced bee-nabs).
bNAb stands for broadly neutralising monoclonal antibody.
Antibodies are natural proteins produced by the body to fight infections. The bNAbs in the RIO trial are immune-based treatments that are being studied both to treat HIV.
The two bNAbs in the RIO study are called 3BNC117–LS and 10‑1074‑LS. Both are long-acting formulations – which is why only one dose is needed in the study.
They will be given once in two separate infusions. An infusion is when medicines are delivered through a needle into a vein. Each infusion will take about 30 minutes but this visit might take up to a whole day.
How many people are taking part?
The study plans to enroll 18 people from several HIV centres in the UK and the EU.
Where is the study take place?
Regular monitoring visits will take place at your normal HIV clinic.
The infusions take place at Hammersmith Hospital in London for UK participants. This is part of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
For Danish participants, the infusions will take place at the Aarhus University Hospital in Aarhus.
We will also be including sites in Germany, Spain, Netherlands and Sweden.
The study will pay for your time and travel costs for these visits.
What is involved in the study?
The study plans to recruit 18 participants.
All participants will follow the same pathway and there are a total of three ART interruptions.
After the first and second interruptions you can receive the bNAbs. Then you will have a choice to do a third ART interruption.
The study will compare the results of Arm C to those from Arms A and B (this first part of the study is now closed).
Summary of RIO Arm C study design
Each time ART is stopped, participants will be monitored every week for the first eight weeks. Monitoring will then continue every two weeks.
The study will compare the time it takes for viral load to become detectable each time. Viral load is expected to rebound much slower after participants receive bNAb infusion.
