A Study of an Oral Entry Inhibitor, SP01A, in Treatment-Experienced HIV-Infected Patients

Inclusion Criteria: To be eligible for inclusion into this study, patients must fulfill the following criteria prior to the first day of study drug (i.e. Study Day-1) unless otherwise noted. Patient must be capable of giving informed consent. The principal investigator or study nurse will be responsible for obtaining written informed consent from potential patients prior to conducting any testing for the screening visit. 2. Patient is HIV-positive and has treatment-experienced virologic failure or documented resistance. Treatment-experienced virologic failure is defined as patients meeting the following criteria; (1) previous experience with antiretroviral therapy from at least two of the approved antiretroviral classes (i.e. treatment with a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, and/or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, and/or protease inhibitor) for three to six months; (2) increasing HIV RNA after treatment had previously lowered viral load to low or undetectable levels; (3) increasing viremia (HIV RNA > 5,000 copies/mL) in at least two viral load tests confirming their failing regimen. A patient does not need to currently be on therapy. A patient that is currently on a stable antiretroviral regimen that is successfully suppressing or maintaining viremia at low detectable levels (HIV RNA < 5,000 copies/mL) is not eligible for entry into the study. Patient has been off all anti-viral medications, including any unapproved or experimental treatment for HIV and antiretrovirals, for at least 4 weeks prior to Study Day-1 (baseline). The patient may initiate this 4 week period after screening, if, in the judgment of the principal investigator, the patient qualifies for the study. Patient is at least 18 years of age and not older than 60 years of age. Patient is capable of adhering to the protocol. Patient has a CD4+ count >50 cells/ml. Patient has a viral load of > 5000 copies/ml. Patient has a Karnofsky score greater than or equal to 60. Female patients that are of childbearing potential: (1) have a negative urine pregnancy test at screening, and agree to use a condom and another form of contraception from the start of the study; or (2) are incapable of becoming pregnant. Exclusion Criteria: Patients are ineligible to participate in the study if ANY of the following criteria are met. Patients with known or suspected allergy to procaine hydrochloride. Patients using sulfonamides (including Septra/Bactrim). Sulfonamides should not be used while on SP01A, because procaine will inactivate it. If a patient must be treated with Septra/Bactrim, that patient will be removed from the study. Patients with glaucoma using anti-cholinesterase inhibitors (Humorsol [demecarium bromide] echothiophate iodide, Floropryl [isoflurophate], Isopto-Eserine [physostigmine salicylate]). Anti-cholinesterase inhibitors should not be used while on SP01A, since anticholinesterases inhibit the breakdown of procaine hydrochloride. Patients with SGOT baseline value >3 times upper limit. Patients with SGPT baseline value >3 times upper limit. Patients with creatinine >2.0 mg/ dl. Patients with absolute neutrophil count <1,000 cells/mm3. Patients with platelets baseline value <75,000 cells/µl. Patients that currently have any active opportunistic infection. Prophylaxis for Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), or herpes is permitted (excluding treatment with Sulfonamides). Females that are pregnant or breast feeding. Female patients of childbearing age who cannot either use dual contraception or abstain from sexual intercourse during the clinical study. Patients with less than 6 months life expectancy. Patients with active hepatitis (viral or drug induced). Patients with cancer, except peripheral (dermal) Kaposi's sarcoma. Patients on dialysis. Patients that currently have an active alcohol or substance abuse problem. Patients with any medical, psychological, psychiatric or substance use problem that, in the opinion of the principal investigator, will interfere with the patient's ability to complete the study. A patient that is currently on a stable antiretroviral regimen that is successfully suppressing or maintaining viremia at low detectable levels (HIV RNA < 5,000 copies/ml) is not eligible for entry into the study.