CompletedPhase 1

A Phase I/II Open-Labelled Trial of Intravitreal Ganciclovir Salvage Therapy for AIDS Patients With Active CMV Retinitis Who Are Intolerant of Systemic Therapy

United States38 participants

Plain-language summary

AMENDED: 04-12-91 Population of patients changed FROM those who are intolerant of systemic therapy with NON-sight-threatening CMV retinitis TO those AIDS patients intolerant of systemic therapy with CMV retinitis. AMENDED: 8/8/90. Changes made in neutrophils count from \< 500 to \< 750 cells/mm3. Nonrandomized eyes will not be used for the primary efficacy evaluation. ORIGINAL DESIGN: To determine the effectiveness and safety of ganciclovir (DHPG) therapy in AIDS patients suffering from active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the retina of the eye (retinitis) when the drug is administered directly into the fluid-filled vitreous cavity of the eye by injection. CMV retinitis is the most frequently seen opportunistic infection of the eye in AIDS patients, and left untreated can lead to severe visual loss and blindness. While systemic administration of DHPG has been shown to be an effective treatment for CMV retinitis, the chronic administration required may be complicated by decreased blood cell counts (granulocytopenia) which may require discontinuation of treatment. While withholding treatment may allow recovery from the granulocytopenia, interruption of therapy may result in reactivation of the retinitis. Injection of DHPG into the vitreous cavity of the eye may be of benefit to severely neutropenic patients with CMV retinitis.

Who can participate

Age range

13 Years – 65 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Allowed: * Zidovudine (AZT). * AMENDED: 8/8/90 Other available antiretroviral therapy. * Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis, either systemic or local (aerosolized). * Chemotherapy for Kaposi's sarcoma. * Systemic therapy for intercurrent opportunistic infections. * Acyclovir or other treatment of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) or Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections. * Systemic therapy deemed necessary for appropriate medical management. Patients must have AIDS and cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in at least one eye, diagnosed by an ophthalmologist and verified by fundoscopy and fundus photography. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following are excluded: * Contraindication to intravitreal injection, including obvious external infection and vitreous hemorrhage. * Medical opacities of cornea, lens, and/or vitreous which precludes fundus photography. Concurrent Medication: Excluded: * Prophylactic acyclovir at time of study entry. * Other anticytomegalovirus (CMV) therapy, particularly systemic ganciclovir, foscarnet, or CMV hyperimmune globulin. * Topical ophthalmic medications should be avoided. * Cytomegalovirus (CMV) therapies and chronic acyclovir, including necessary therapies for an intercurrent opportunistic infection. Patients with the following are excluded: * Contraindication to intravitreal injection, including obvious external infection and vitreous hemorrhage. * Medical o…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT00000673

SponsorNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Sponsor typeNIH

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

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