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Biomedical subjects

Joep Lange

Publications and source records attributed to Joep Lange.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on psychomotor performance in children with HIV disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the effects of HAART on psychomotor performance of symptomatic HIV-infected children. It is one of the first studies to look at neurobehavioral functioning in children infected with HIV in resource-limited countries. DESIGN: A longitudinal pilot study of vertically HIV-infected children at the HIV Netherlands Australia Thailand Research Collaboration Center in Bangkok, Thailand. METHODS: A total of 34 children participated in the study of whom 16 had never received antiretroviral (ARV) therapy and were about to start HAART (Newly treated children), 7 did not receive antiretroviral therapy (Untreated children) and 11 had been treated with HAART for more than one year (HAART experienced children). All children were administered 4 psychomotor tasks at baseline and after 4 months. The Newly treated and the Untreated children were also evaluated after 12 months. RESULTS: In general, the children performed similarly on all psychomotor tasks at baseline. After 12 months of HAART, there was a significant increase in CD4% in the Newly treated group. Overall, psychomotor performance did not change at the 4-month evaluation in all groups. At the 12-month evaluation psychomotor performance had deteriorated substantially on all tasks in both the Newly treated and the Untreated children. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in psychomotor functioning between children newly treated, previously treated and untreated with HAART over the course of one year. Psychomotor performance deteriorated after 12 months of HAART, which provides important indications concerning the lack of benefits of HAART on psychomotor functions in children despite immunologic reconstitution. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed to confirm these findings.

Analysis of Variance↗

Epstein-Barr virus infects B and non-B lymphocytes in HIV-1-infected children and adolescents.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a widespread, persistent herpesvirus that can transform B cells and that is associated with malignant lymphomas. EBV dynamics and specific immunity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected children are unknown. We found that, in 74% of EBV-seropositive, HIV-1-infected children, EBV DNA loads at the start of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were comparable with those in acutely EBV-infected, HIV-negative children. EBV DNA load remained elevated in most HIV-1-infected children for months to years of follow-up. Frequencies of interferon-gamma-producing EBV-specific CD8+ T cells were comparable with those in healthy control children, and antibodies to EBV nuclear antigen were detected in 73% of EBV-seropositive children. Detectable EBV DNA load was not correlated with HIV-1 RNA level or with CD4+ T cell count increase after the start of HAART. Because of its resemblance to chronic active EBV, we studied the cellular tropism of EBV in these patients. EBV DNA was found not only in the CD19+ B cell fraction but also--at stable levels--in the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell fractions. Although the reason for the aberrant T cell tropism of EBV remains unclear, these data may provide an explanation for the differential EBV dynamics in the presence of normal serological findings.

Adolescent↗

Boosted versus unboosted indinavir with zidovudine and lamivudine in nucleoside pre-treated patients: a randomized, open-label trial with 112 weeks of follow-up (HIV-NAT 005).

INTRODUCTION: The use of HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) in a ritonavir (RTV)-boosted form is now common. However, randomized data comparing boosted with unboosted PI strategies are scarce. METHODS: This randomized, open-label trial compared indinavir (IDV) 800 mg three times daily with IDV/RTV 800/100 mg twice daily, both given with zidovudine (AZT)/lamivudine (3TC) twice daily in individuals with at least 3 months previous AZT experience. The primary endpoint was the time-weighted average change in HIV RNA from baseline. Designed as a 48-week study, follow-up continued until week 112. Primary analysis is by intention to treat. RESULTS: One hundred and three patients commenced therapy and are included in the analysis. Patients had a median of 29 months past nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) exposure. Baseline median (interquartile range) log10 HIV RNA was 4.0 (3.3-4.5) and CD4+ T-cell count 166 (40-323) cells/microl. After 112-weeks of study there was no significant difference observed between arms in the mean (SD) change in time-weighted average HIV RNA from baseline (-1.6 [1.1] HIV RNA copies/week/ml three times daily arm; -1.4 [1.1] HIV RNA copies/week/ml twice daily arm; P = 0.3). Both arms were associated with substantial toxicity expressed as serious adverse events and study drug interruptions. The twice daily arm experienced greater dyslipidaemia. Mean (SD) changes in time-weighted CD4+ T-cell count from baseline were similar [88 (84) cells/week/microl three times daily arm; 70 [109] cells/week/microl twice daily arm; P = 0.3). CONCLUSIONS: RTV-boosted IDV 800/100 mg twice daily demonstrated comparable efficacy to unboosted IDV 800 mg three times daily dosing. Both regimens were associated with substantial toxicity. Use of lower doses of RTV-boosted IDV may result in better tolerability without loss of efficacy and warrant further research.

Adult↗

Safety of enfuvirtide in combination with an optimized background of antiretrovirals in treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected adults over 48 weeks.

BACKGROUND: Antiretroviral tolerability is a critical factor contributing to treatment outcome. The T-20 Versus Optimized Background Regimen Only (TORO) studies assessed the safety and efficacy of enfuvirtide in treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients. METHODS: A total of 997 patients were randomized at a 2:1 ratio to an optimized background antiretroviral regimen plus enfuvirtide (n = 663) or an optimized background regimen alone (control group; n = 334). Control patients could switch to enfuvirtide on virologic failure. RESULTS: In total, 26.5% of patients randomized to enfuvirtide and 36.6% to the control group discontinued study treatment before week 48; the percentage of patients withdrawn for safety reasons (including adverse events [AEs], deaths, and laboratory abnormalities) was 14.0% in the enfuvirtide group and 11.6% in the control group. Injection site reactions (ISRs) occurred in 98% of enfuvirtide patients and led to treatment discontinuation in 4.4%. Treatment-related (defined as possibly, probably, or remotely) AE rates per 100 patient-years were lower with enfuvirtide (96.2) than in the control group (149.9); diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue, the most frequently reported AEs, were significantly less frequent with enfuvirtide than in the control group. Pneumonia was significantly more frequent in patients treated with enfuvirtide (6.7 vs. 0.6 events per 100 patient-years), although the incidence was within expected ranges for this population. Lymphadenopathy was also higher in enfuvirtide-treated patients (7.1 vs. 1.2 events per 100 patient-years) for control patients. CONCLUSION: The addition of enfuvirtide to an optimized background regimen does not exacerbate AEs commonly associated with antiretrovirals. ISRs limited treatment in <5% of patients.

Adult↗

Durable efficacy of enfuvirtide over 48 weeks in heavily treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients in the T-20 versus optimized background regimen only 1 and 2 clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: The T-20 Versus Optimized Background Regimen Only (TORO) 1 and TORO 2 clinical trials are open-label, controlled, parallel-group, phase 3 studies comparing enfuvirtide plus an optimized background (OB) of antiretrovirals (n = 661) with OB alone (n = 334) in treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients. METHODS: The primary objective at week 48 was to investigate durability of efficacy, as measured by the percentage of patients maintaining their week 24 response or improving. Efficacy analyses used the intent-to-treat population. RESULTS: A total of 73.7% of patients randomized to the enfuvirtide group remained on treatment through week 48 versus 21.3% originally randomized to the control group. At week 48, a higher proportion of week 24 responders maintained their response or were new responders in the enfuvirtide group than in the control group in each responder category: HIV-1 RNA level > or =1.0 log(10) change from baseline, <400 copies/mL and <50 copies/mL (37.4%, 30.4%, and 18.3% in the enfuvirtide group vs. 17.1%, 12.0%, and 7.8% in the control group, respectively; P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). CD4 cell count increases from baseline were twice as great in the enfuvirtide group as in the control group. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate durable efficacy of enfuvirtide plus OB over 48 weeks.

Adolescent↗

Development of HIV with drug resistance after CD4 cell count-guided structured treatment interruptions in patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy after dual-nucleoside analogue treatment.

BACKGROUND: For patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, structured treatment interruption (STI) is an attractive alternative strategy to continuous treatment, particularly in resource-restrained settings, because it reduces both side effects and costs. One major concern, however, is the development of resistance to antiretroviral drugs that can occur during multiple cycles of starting and stopping therapy. METHODS: HIV genotypic drug resistance was investigated in 20 HIV-infected Thai patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and CD4 cell count-guided STI after dual nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) treatment. Resistance was tested at the time of the switch from dual-NRTI treatment to HAART and when HAART was stopped during the last interruption. RESULTS: After STI, one major drug-resistance mutation occurred (T215Y), and, in the 4 samples with preexisting major mutations (D67N [n=2], K70R [n=2], T215Y [n=2], and T215I [n=1]), the mutations disappeared. All mutations in the HIV protease gene were minor mutations already present, in most cases, before STI was started, and their frequency was not increased through STI, whereas the frequency of reverse-transcriptase gene mutations significantly decreased after the interruptions. After the 48-week study period, no patients had virological failure. Long-term follow-up (108 weeks) showed 1 case of virological failure in the STI arm and 1 in the continuous arm. No virological failure was seen in patients with major mutations. CONCLUSIONS: Major HIV drug-resistance mutations were not induced through CD4 cell count-guided treatment interruptions in HIV-infected patients successfully treated with HAART after dual-NRTI therapy.

Adult↗

Incidence and risk factors for rash in Thai patients randomized to regimens with nevirapine, efavirenz or both drugs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and risk factors for rash in Thai patients taking four different non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimens. METHODS: HIV-positive, antiretroviral-naive patients enrolled in the 2NN study in Thailand and followed for at least 1 week were included. Patients were randomized to efavirenz (EFV) 600 mg once daily (OD) versus nevirapine (NVP) 200 mg twice daily (BD) versus NVP 400 mg OD versus NVP 400 mg OD + EFV 800 mg OD with stavudine/lamivudine. RESULTS: Of 202 patients, 95 (47%) and 69 (34.2%) developed a rash from all reasons and from NNRTI, respectively. For NNRTI-related rash the incidences were EFV (20%), NVP BD (21%), NVP OD (38%) and NVP + EFV (67%). The proportions of patients with grade I, II and III within the four treatment arms are as follows: EFV, 4.3, 13 and 2.9%; NVP BD, 2.3, 15.9 and 2.3%; NVP OD, 12.8, 19.1 and 6.4%; and NVP + EFV, 11.9, 47.6 and 7.1%. Multivariate analyses showed females with CD4 cell count > or =250 x 10 cells/l, high body mass index (>21.3 kg/m), and a rise in CD4 (> or =53 x 10 cells/l) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (> or =34 U/l) at week 4 to be risk factors for rash. CONCLUSIONS: Thai patients had a high incidence of NNRTI-related rash when treated with NVP + EFV or NVP OD. NVP if used BD had the same rash incidence as EFV for rash of all grades. Females, and persons with earlier HIV disease or with a large rise in CD4+ cell count after starting therapy are at greater risk for NNRTI-related rash.

Adult↗

A prospective, randomized trial of structured treatment interruption for patients with chronic HIV type 1 infection.

BACKGROUND: Structured treatment interruption was evaluated in 74 patients who had been pretreated with antiretrovirals, consisting of 2 nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) for 1 year followed by 3 years of highly active antiretroviral therapy containing a protease inhibitor. METHODS: Patients with a CD4 cell count of > or =350 cells/microL and a plasma viral load of <50 copies/mL were randomized to 3 therapy arms: (1) continuous therapy, (2) CD4 cell count-guided theory, and (3) week-on/week-off (WOWO) therapy. The efficacy and safety of structured treatment interruption and antiretroviral use were evaluated in human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients. The study end points were percentage of patients who developed AIDS or who died and a CD4 cell count of > or =350 cells/microL. Intergroup differences were analyzed using analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics at the start of the structured treatment interruption were similar. At week 48, no patient had died, and 1 patient in the WOWO group had an AIDS-defining condition. The proportions of patients with a CD4 cell count of > or =350 cells/microL were 100%, 87%, and 96% in treatment arms 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The percentages of weeks of antiretroviral use were 100%, 41.1%, and 69.8% in arms 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The adverse events were not significantly different among arms (P=.27). Thirty-one percent of patients in the WOWO group experienced virological failure. CONCLUSION: WOWO therapy maintained a CD4 cell count of > or =350 cells/microL in almost all patients but was associated with high virological failures rates (possibly resulting from previous dual-NRTI therapy), indicating that this strategy is less useful. Receipt of CD4 cell count-guided therapy resulted in comparable clinical outcomes to continuous therapy and may save antiretroviral-associated costs, but this needs to be confirmed by a larger trial.

Adult↗

Nevirapine and efavirenz pharmacokinetics and covariate analysis in the 2NN study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this 2NN pharmacokinetic substudy was to investigate the population pharmacokinetics of nevirapine and efavirenz. METHODS: Treatment-naive, HIV-1-infected patients received nevirapine (once or twice daily), efavirenz or a combination with lamivudine and stavudine. Blood samples were collected on day 3 and weeks 1, 2, 4, 24 and 48. Using non-linear mixed effects modelling, pharmacokinetics of nevirapine and efavirenz and factors involved in the inter-individual variability were investigated. RESULTS: Clearance of nevirapine in the induction phase (<14 days) and at steady state (>28 days) were 2.02 I/h and 2.81 I/h, respectively. Volume of distribution and absorption rate constant were 77.0 l and 1.66 h(-1), respectively. Clearance of nevirapine was lower in females (13.8%) and in patients with hepatitis B (19.5%). Patients from South America and Western countries had higher clearance of nevirapine compared with Thai and South African patients. The clearances of efavirenz in the induction phase and at steady state were 7.95 l/h and 8.82 l/h, respectively. The volume of distribution and absorption rate constant were 4181 and 0.287 h(-1), respectively. Concomitant use of nevirapine increased clearance of efavirenz (43%). Patients from Thailand had lower clearance than the rest of the population. CONCLUSIONS: The population pharmacokinetics of nevirapine and efavirenz were assessed in the 2NN trial. For both drugs, an induction phase was distinguished from the steady-state phase. Gender, hepatitis B and geographical region were involved in the variability of the pharmacokinetics of nevirapine. Region and concomitantly used nevirapine were determinants of the pharmacokinetics of efavirenz.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics of reduced-dose indinavir/ritonavir 400/100 mg twice daily in HIV-1-infected Thai patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the pharmacokinetics of indinavir/ ritonavir 400/100 mg twice daily in antiretroviral-naive patients at Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen, Thailand. METHODS: This was a steady-state, open-label pharmacokinetic study of 19 patients. A 12 h pharmacokinetic curve was recorded after an overnight fast. Plasma levels of indinavir and ritonavir were determined by a validated HPLC method. Virological failure was defined according to the most recent US Department of Health and Human Services guidelines as a viral load above 400 copies/ml at week 24. RESULTS: Median baseline values for CD4 and viral load were 13cells/mm3 and 167000 copies/ml, respectively. The median (interquartile ranges) for indinavir AUC, Cmax and Cmin were 18.1 (15.3-23.8) mg/l x h, 4.1 (3.6-4.8) mg/l and 0.17 (0.12-0.30) mg/l, respectively. These values represent 37%, 39% and 24% of the AUC, Cmax and Cmin values found, respectively, for the indinavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg dose in HIV-1-infected Thai patients. Short-term virological response was satisfactory. There were three subjects with an indinavir Cmin. below the target value of 0.10 mg/l, of whom one had virological failure (33%). Among the other 16 subjects with an indinavir Cmin above 0.10 mg/l, there was also one virological failure (6%) (P=0.30). CONCLUSIONS: Indinavir exposure in this reduced-dose regimen of 400 mg with 100 mg ritonavir twice daily was more than dose-proportionally lower than previously observed with the indinavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg twice daily regimen. Therapeutic Cmin levels of indinavir were achieved in >80% of the subjects and short-term virological response was satisfactory in this cohort of patients starting highly active antiretroviral therapy at an advanced disease stage with high baseline viral loads.

Administration, Oral↗

No effect of interleukin-2 on IgE levels given in addition to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected adults with CD4 >300 cells/mm3.

HIV-infected patients may have frequent atopy caused by an imbalance of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether IL-2 given in addition to antiretrovirals (ARV) would result in lower IgE levels and less allergic symptoms. Patients naive to IL-2 (n=28) began IL-2 plus ARV and were followed for 12 months. IgE, eosinophil and CD4 counts, HIV RNA, symptom scoring, PFT and skin prick test (SPT) were performed. It was found that the baseline median CD4 and IgE were 386.5 cells/mm3 and 63.5 IU/ml, respectively. Four patients had allergic rhinitis (AR) and 61% had a positive SPT to at least 1 antigen. At month 12, patients had higher CD4 counts (p < 0.001) compared to the baseline; however, there were no differences in IgE levels, allergic symptom scores or HIV RNA. The eosinophil count was higher after IL-2 administration. It was concluded that IL-2 plus ARV resulted in higher CD4 counts but had no effect on atopy.

Adult↗

Prevalence of lipoatrophy and mitochondrial DNA content of blood and subcutaneous fat in HIV-1-infected patients randomly allocated to zidovudine- or stavudine-based therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Mitochondrial toxicity resulting from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion is suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of lipodystrophy. METHODS: We cross-sectionally assessed lipodystrophy both clinically and radiographically in patients who, 4 years before, had been enrolled in a randomized comparative trial of stavudine- or zidovudine-based therapy. mtDNA content was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and subcutaneous adipose tissue from the thigh and back. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of the 45 patients enrolled in the original trial were included. Despite comparable exposure to stavudine or zidovudine (51 and 50 months, respectively), lipoatrophy prevalence by intent-to-treat analysis was significantly greater in stavudine recipients (82 vs 9%, P=0.0001). Likewise, those allocated to stavudine had significantly less peripheral fat. In an analysis restricted to patients who had remained on randomly allocated nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), mtDNA in PBMCs decreased after the start of treatment in both groups (P<0.0001) (-73% for stavudine and -67% for zidovudine, P=0.11), resulting in significantly lower levels in patients with lipoatrophy (P=0.007). The mtDNA content in subcutaneous adipose tissue from the thigh, but not from the back, was significantly lower in patients allocated to stavudine compared to zidovudine (P=0.01). mtDNA in adipose tissue from either location did not differ significantly between those with or without lipoatrophy. DISCUSSION: This study objectively confirms that regimens containing stavudine are associated with a greater risk of lipoatrophy than those containing zidovudine. mtDNA in PBMCs markedly declined with both treatments and was lowest in patients with lipoatrophy. The lack of difference in mtDNA in adipose tissue from patients with as opposed to without lipoatrophy may have been masked by a relative preponderance of stromal and vascular tissue in the subcutaneous tissue samples from these patients, combined with compensatory mitochondrial proliferation in remaining adipocytes. However, our findings may also suggest that the different risk of lipoatrophy observed between NRTIs cannot solely be explained by differences in mtDNA depletion directly at the level of peripheral adipose tissue.

Adipose Tissue↗

Nucleoside analogue mutations and Q151M in HIV-1 subtype A/E infection treated with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate genotypic drug resistance in HIV-1 subtype A/E infection associated with failure of double/triple-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor therapy. METHODS: Patients from HIV-NAT 002 [stavudine (d4T)/didanosine (ddI) dose reduction study] and HIV-NAT 003 (zidovudine (ZDV)/lamivudine (3TC) versus ZDV/3TC/ddI) whose HIV-1 RNA was > 1000 copies/ml at week 48 and/or week 96 were tested for genotypic resistance. In both studies, after 48 weeks, patients were switched to the other dual or triple-nucleoside RT inhibitor (NRTI) either according to randomization or to the occurrence of virological failure. RESULTS: Resistance mutations found in the d4T/ddI, ZDV/3TC, and ZDV/3TC/ddI groups: none at baseline; at week 48, nucleoside analogue mutations (NAM), 2/17 (12%), 2/10 (20%), and 1/8; Q151M complex, 3/17 (18%), 0%, and 0%; M184V, 0%, 10/10 (P < 0.001), 3/8; V75T, 3/17 (18%), 0%, and 0%; L74V, 3/7 (18%), 0%, and 0%, respectively. At week 96, among the switchers, i.e., group A d4T/ddI to ZDV/3TC, group B ZDV/3TC to d4T/ddI, and group C ZDV/3TC/ddI to d4T/3TC/abacavir: NAM, 12/21 (57%), 4/7 and 1/3; Q151M, 4/21 (19%), 0% and 1/3, respectively. Interestingly, four or more NAM were observed in a higher proportion in group A (4/17 versus none in the others). CONCLUSIONS: Multi-NRTI resistance (NAM and Q151M) and M184V (only in 3TC failure) are commonly found in HIV-1 subtype A/E infection associated with NRTI failure. Suboptimal d4T/ddI therapy led to a high incidence of V75T and L74V mutations. Switching from d4T/ddI to ZDV/3TC may be associated with a higher incidence of four or more NAM. Thus, suboptimal and dual NRTI therapy is not recommended for global application.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Efficacy of enfuvirtide in patients infected with drug-resistant HIV-1 in Europe and Australia.

BACKGROUND: The T-20 vs. Optimized Regimen Only Study 2 (TORO 2) compared the efficacy and safety of 24 weeks of treatment with the fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide in combination with an optimized background antiretroviral regimen with the efficacy and safety of the optimized background regimen alone. METHODS: The patients had previous treatment with each of the three classes of antiretroviral drugs, documented resistance to each class, or both and a plasma level of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA of at least 5000 copies per milliliter. They were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either enfuvirtide (90 mg twice daily) plus a background regimen optimized with the aid of resistance testing (enfuvirtide group) or the background regimen alone (control group). RESULTS: Of the 512 patients who underwent randomization, 335 in the enfuvirtide group and 169 in the control group received at least one dose of study medication and had at least one follow-up measurement of plasma HIV-1 RNA. The median base-line plasma HIV-1 RNA level was 5.1 log10 copies per milliliter in both groups. The median CD4+ cell count was 98.0 cells per cubic millimeter in the enfuvirtide group and 101.5 cells per cubic millimeter in the control group. Patients had a median of seven years of previous treatment and had received a median of 12 antiretroviral drugs. The background regimen comprised a mean of four antiretroviral drugs in both groups. At 24 weeks, the least-squares mean change from base line in the plasma viral load (intention-to-treat, last observation carried forward) was a decrease of 1.429 log10 copies per milliliter in the enfuvirtide group and a decrease of 0.648 log10 copies per milliliter in the control group, a difference of 0.781 log10 copies per milliliter (P<0.001). The mean increase in the CD4+ cell count was greater in the enfuvirtide group (65.5 cells per cubic millimeter) than in the control group (38.0 cells per cubic millimeter, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of enfuvirtide to an optimized background regimen provided significant viral suppression and immunologic benefit over a 24-week period in HIV-1-infected patients who had previously received multiple antiretroviral drugs.

Adult↗

Therapeutic drug monitoring of nelfinavir and indinavir in treatment-naive HIV-1-infected individuals.

BACKGROUND: Both virological failure and the toxicity of HIV protease inhibitors have been related to interindividual variability of plasma drug concentrations. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) offers the possibility to detect patients with drug concentrations outside therapeutic ranges, who can subsequently benefit from dose modifications. METHODS: ATHENA was a randomized controlled clinical trial. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a TDM group, in which the results of drug concentration measurements plus advice were reported to their treating physician, or to a control group for whom TDM results were not reported. This analysis refers to treatment-naive patients who started a regimen containing indinavir or nelfinavir before November 1999. FINDINGS: A total of 147 patients were randomly assigned: 92 to nelfinavir, 55 to indinavir. After one year of follow-up significantly fewer patients in the TDM group had discontinued nelfinavir or indinavir than in the control group: 17.4 versus 39.7%. This was mainly driven by a significantly lower rate of discontinuation because of virological failure in nelfinavir patients: 2.4% in the TDM group versus 17.6% in the control group, and by a non-significant difference in the rate of discontinuation because of toxicity in indinavir patients: 14.3% in the TDM group versus 29.6% in the control group. In a non-completer equals failure analysis of all randomized patients, the TDM group showed a significantly higher proportion of patients with a viral load below 500 copies after 12 months of treatment (78.2 versus 55.1%). INTERPRETATION: TDM of nelfinavir and indinavir in treatment-naive patients improves treatment response.

Adult↗

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of indinavir with or without low-dose ritonavir in HIV-infected Thai patients.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of indinavir with or without low-dose ritonavir in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected Thai patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six HIV-1-infected patients who participated in HIV-NAT 005 study gave informed consent to record a pharmacokinetic curve 4 weeks after starting a regimen containing either indinavir 800 mg every 8 h (n = 19) or indinavir 800 mg + ritonavir 100 mg every 12 h (n = 17). Indinavir plasma concentrations were measured by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by non-compartmental methods. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range; IQR) body weight of the 36 patients (11 females and 25 males) was 60 (54-72) kg. Median and IQR values for indinavir AUC, Cmax and Cmin were 20.9 (13.1-27.0) mg x h/L, 8.1 (6.6-9.4) mg/L and 0.13 (0.09-0.27) mg/L, respectively, for indinavir 800 mg every 8 h, and 49.2 (42.5-60.4) mg x h/L, 10.6 (8.5-13.2) mg/L and 0.68 (0.43-0.77) mg/L, respectively, for indinavir 800 mg + ritonavir 100 mg every 12 h. These values are not largely different from values found in Caucasian patients, with the exception of relatively high peak levels of indinavir in Thai subjects. Cut-off values for optimal virological efficacy were an indinavir Cmin of 0.10 and 0.25 mg/L for the every 8 h and the every 12 h regimen, respectively; patients with an indinavir AUC greater than 30 (every 8 h regimen) or 60 (every 12 h regimen) mg x h/L were at increased risk of developing nephrotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Indinavir pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in Thai HIV-1-infected patients are similar to those described in Caucasian patients, despite an overall lower body weight in this population

Adult↗