Study

Study to See if Alendronate Wakes Up Hidden HIV in People Living with HIV

This study will look at whether a medication called alendronate can reduce the amount of hidden HIV (called the HIV reservoir) in people living with HIV. Alendronate is a medication used to strengthen bones.

Why this Research Matters

HIV medicines have greatly improved the lives of people with HIV. With treatment, HIV is now a long-term condition that many people can manage. Treatment quickly lowers the amount of HIV in the blood to low levels. But HIV can still hide in certain cells, so it is not completely removed from the body. Scientists are testing a medication called alendronate to see if it wakes up hidden HIV so infected cells can be found and cleared by the immune system. If you join this study, you will be randomly placed into one of two groups, like flipping a coin. One group will get the alendronate, and the other group will get a placebo (a pill with no medication). Both groups will continue taking antiretroviral therapy. You will not know which group you are in. At most visits, some blood will be taken from a vein in your arm, and you may also have a physical exam. There will be about 10 study visits over 11 months. You will be paid up to $500 if you complete all visits. You can also choose to have a sigmoidoscopy at the beginning and end of the study. A sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that examines your lower large intestines and is done by a specialized doctor. You will be paid $300 for each sigmoidoscopy procedure that you complete.