Preserved central nervous system functioning after use of romidepsin as a latency-reversing agent in an HIV cure strategy.

Methods: Substudy participation was offered to all BCN02 participants (N = 15). Evaluations covered cognitive, functional, and brain imaging outcomes, performed before RMD administration (Pre-RMD), after 3 RMD infusions (Post-RMD), and at the end of the study (EoS). A group of early-treated HIV-1-infected individuals with matched clinical characteristics was additionally recruited (n = 10). Primary endpoint was change in a global cognitive score (NPZ-6).

Results: Eleven participants from BCN02 trial were enrolled. No significant changes were observed in cognitive, functional, or brain imaging outcomes from Pre-RMD to Post-RMD. No relevant alterations were detected from Pre-RMD to EoS either. Scores at EoS were similar in participants off cART for 32 weeks (n = 3) and those who resumed therapy for 24 weeks (n = 7). Controls showed comparable punctuations in NPZ-6 across all timepoints.

Conclusion: Eleven participants from BCN02 trial were enrolled. No significant changes were observed in cognitive, functional, or brain imaging outcomes from Pre-RMD to Post-RMD. No relevant alterations were detected from Pre-RMD to EoS either. Scores at EoS were similar in participants off cART for 32 weeks (n = 3) and those who resumed therapy for 24 weeks (n = 7). Controls showed comparable punctuations in NPZ-6 across all timepoints.