The purpose of this study is to determine how well the drug reduces the activity of immune cells that are thought to predict a more severe path of disease in HIV. Participants in this study should not be using antiretroviral medications currently. Volunteers will be given either chloroquine or a placebo, to help reduce immune activation. After 12 weeks, volunteers who were receiving chloroquine will receive placebo and those who were receiving placebo will receive the chloroquine

Inclusion Criteria:

• Between 18 and 65 years old
• You must be HIV positive
• You must not have taken anti-HIV drugs in the past 6 months
• You must have a viral load greater than or equal to 10,000 copies
• You must have a CD4 cell count of greater than or equal to 400 T cells

You cannot:

• Currently be using antiretroviral (anti-HIV) medications
• Be pregnant
• Be breast feeding
• Taking immunomodulators
• Have a history of retinal (eye) disease
• Have a history of psoriasis (skin) disease
• Have a history of a seizure disorder
• Have a history of heart disease
• Have a history of cirrhosis (liver disease)

This study is being conducted by Dr. Ronald Mitsuyasu under IRB #09-02-080-01

If you think you might be interested in participating in this study, please contact Blanca Corea at 310-557-9062 or email at bcorea@mednet.ucla.edu

Return to Clinical Trials main page