Latest by Margaret Hoffman-Terry, M.D., F.A.C.P.
The Role of Nucleoside Analogs in the Development of Insulin Resistance
Given that HIV-infected patients can now survive for decades on antiretroviral therapy, comorbidities such as lipodystrophy and insulin resistance have moved to the forefront of HIV management. Yet, much remains to be discovered about these syndromes...
Tipranavir/Ritonavir-Associated Hepatotoxicity Common, But Resolves Over Time
Tipranavir (TPV, Aptivus) is a non-peptidic, new-generation protease inhibitor (PI) that has proven to be potent against HIV-1 isolates resistant to all other available PIs. Combined results from the phase III tipranavir trials RESIST-1, conducted in...
Aplaviroc's Potency Against HIV Is Linked to Its Slow Dissociation From the CCR5 Receptor
Despite the decision by GlaxoSmithKline (Glaxo) to halt further clinical study of aplaviroc (GSK873140) in treatment-naive patients due to reports of hepatotoxicity in phase 2 trials, research on this and other CCR5 antagonists continues with the hop...
Abacavir Hypersensitivity Becoming Easier to Predict Using Pharmacogenetic Markers
Although abacavir (ABC, Ziagen) is a highly effective drug for the treatment of HIV, a drawback to its use is the risk of hypersensitivity reaction (HSR). To date, 8% of patients in clinical studies have experienced HSR, and some cases have proven fa...
In Uganda, Three-NRTI Regimen Including Abacavir Is Better Tolerated Than Nevirapine-Based Regimen
Study SnapshotDesign: Randomized, double-blinded, 24-week, phase 2 study conducted in two centers in Uganda aimed at examining the issues surrounding tolerability and toxicity of abacavir in an African population.Population: 600 Ugandan adults with s...
More Questions Than Answers Regarding High Hepatic Event Rates Among Thai Patients in 2NN Study
In 2003, the seminal 2NN Study taught us that dual non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) -- specifically efavirenz (EFV, Sustiva, Stocrin) and nevirapine (NVP, Viramune) -- are not better than single NNRTIs. 2NN also lent support t...
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Study Finds Adequate Drug Levels for Once-Daily Nevirapine
There is a clear need for well-tolerated highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens with simple dosing schedules. Most HIV-infected patients in the United States lead complex lives, often working long days and providing care for themselves...
Treatment With Growth Hormone Leads to Improvement in CD4 T-Cell Counts in HIV-Infected Adults on HAART
As the known long-term toxicities of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) continue to mount, researchers have returned to the pre-HAART era search for methods of bolstering the immune system.
Are there ways to improve immunity and lengthen t...
Fosamprenavir + Ritonavir Appears Safe Through 120 Weeks in HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients
Hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C coinfection in HIV-infected patients is highly prevalent not only in the United States, but worldwide. With lives now being dramatically extended by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), we don't want to risk pa...
The Price of Progress: A Review of Immune Reconstitution Syndrome
Background
William Powderly, from University College in Dublin, Ireland, presented an excellent review of the current state of knowledge regarding the relatively uncommon condition called immune reconstitution syndrome (IRS), which is a syndrome kno...