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Experimental NRTI Apricitabine Demonstrates Good Antiviral Activity with No Serious Side Effects at 96 Weeks

While antiretroviral agents in novel classes have garnered the most attention in recent years, researchers continue to develop new drugs in existing classes. One such agent, the experimental nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) apricitabine (formerly AVX754 and SPD754), continues to demonstrate good HIV suppression, no resistance, and a favorable side effects profile -- including minimal effect on blood lipids -- at 96 weeks. The lack of resistance is notable since apricitabine is structurally similar to lamivudine (3TC; Epivir) and emtricitabine (Emtriva).

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FDA Approves Generic NRTI Combinations for PEPFAR Program

Drug cost remains a major barrier to access to antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited areas. Several companies produce generic versions of anti-HIV medications under World Trade Organization provisions for low- and middle-income countries. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which approves drugs for use in the United States, also evaluates generic versions for use in countries that receive assistance under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

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CROI 2009: Large Meta-analysis Indicates Antiretroviral Therapy Works as Well for Women as for Men

Since the early years of the AIDS epidemic, researchers and advocates have debated whether HIV positive women benefit as much as men from antiretroviral therapy. Some studies in the early HAART era suggested that women did not fare as well, but many believe this was a reflection of poorer access to care, differences in socioeconomic status, or other factors.

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CROI 2009: Treatment Intensification with Raltegravir (Isentress) Does Not Eradicate Residual HIV

Effective combination antiretroviral therapy can reduce HIV viral load to an undetectable level in the blood using standard tests, but it does not completely eradicate the virus from the body. As Robert Siliciano of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine discussed in a plenary address at the 16th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI 2009) last month in Montreal, experts have long debated whether residual HIV is the result of continuing low-level viral replication or release of virus from stable reservoir sites.

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CROI 2009: ESPRIT and SILCAAT Studies Find No Long-term Benefits of IL-2

Effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) that suppress HIV replication typically leads to increased CD4 cell counts, and ample data clearly shows that it reduces the risk of AIDS-related illness and death. Some individuals on do not experience adequate CD4 T-cell recovery, however, and researchers have therefore explored other potential methods of restoring immune function. 

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