Trial of an Anti-HIV-1 Gene Transfer Product

• Difference in viral load between the placebo and OZ1 groups. [ Time Frame: Week 47 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Difference in viral load between the placebo and OZ1 groups. [ Time Frame: Week 48 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

• CD4+ cell count [ Time Frame: Weeks 41 - 48 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• HIV proviral DNA [ Time Frame: Weeks 41 - 48 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Thymic function [ Time Frame: Weeks 41 - 48 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Time to resumption of antiretroviral therapy [ Time Frame: Weeks 41 - 48 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

The objective of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of administration of a cell-delivered ribozyme gene transfer product to patients with chronic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type One (HIV-1) infection.

This trial uses an experimental approach called "gene transfer". This procedure involves removing some early stage bone marrow cells (known as CD34+ cells) from the blood and inserting a gene into them. The gene produces a molecule known as a ribozyme, which cuts up the genetic material of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The procedure on inserting the ribozyme gene into the CD34+ cells takes place in the laboratory. When the CD34+ cells containing the new gene are put back into the body, they go back to the bone marrow and produce white blood cells such as T-cells, which also contain the new gene. It has been shown in laboratory experiments that the T-cells containing the ribozyme gene have reduced replication of HIV because of the effects of the ribozyme on the virus. The name of the investigational ribozyme gene is OZ1. OZ1 has the potential, after a single administration to reduce the amount of HIV in the body and improve the function of the immune system by increasing the number of T-cells. The purpose of the trial is to determine if the insertion of OZ1 into CD34+ cells is safe and if it reduces HIV replication in the body and increases the number of T-cells in comparison to CD34+ cells alone. Patients will be divided into two groups: one group will receive OZ1-containing CD34+ cells, the other group will receive CD34+ cells alone. A series of procedures will be conducted to harvest CD34+ cells from the blood. At the completion of these procedures the white blood cells will be transferred to a laboratory where they are purified to isolate the CD34+ cells. The cells will then undergo one of two possible procedures: culture of the cells and insertion of OZ1 or culture of the cells only. Once this procedure is complete, the cells will be returned to the patient via an infusion. The infusion is a one-off treatment.

• Other: Placebo
  Single intravenous infusion of placebo transduced autologous CD34+ cells per kilogram of body weight
• Genetic: OZ1
  Single intravenous infusion of 2-20 x 10 to the power of 7 OZ1 transduced autologous CD34+ cells per kilogram of body weight

• Experimental: 001
  OZ1 Single intravenous infusion of 2-20 x 10 to the power of 7 OZ1 transduced autologous CD34+ cells per kilogram of body weight
  Intervention: Genetic: OZ1
• Placebo Comparator: 002
  Placebo Single intravenous infusion of placebo transduced autologous CD34+ cells per kilogram of body weight
  Intervention: Other: Placebo

Inclusion Criteria:

• Human Immunodeficiency Virus -1 (HIV-1) infection for at least 6 months documented by positive HIV serology
• Receiving either the first or second regimen of antiretroviral therapy (ART) defined as 3 or more antiretroviral drugs in combination
• Viral load less than 400 copies/ml
• CD4+ cell count must be greater that 300 cells/mm3

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any previous or current Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) defining illness by the CDC case definition, including AIDS-related dementia, with the exception of Kaposi's sarcoma
• Clinically significant clinical laboratory results
• Patients with veins unsuitable for study related procedures
• Currently pregnancy or breastfeeding