Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Christine Katlama

Publications and source records attributed to Christine Katlama.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Major depletion of insulin sensitivity-associated taxa in the gut microbiome of persons living with HIV controlled by antiretroviral drugs.

BACKGROUND: Persons living with HIV (PWH) harbor an altered gut microbiome (higher abundance of Prevotella and lower abundance of Bacillota and Ruminococcus lineages) compared to non-infected individuals. Some of these alterations are linked to sexual preference and others to the HIV infection. The relationship between these lineages and metabolic alterations, often present in aging PWH, has been poorly investigated. METHODS: In this study, we compared fecal metagenomes of 25 antiretroviral-treatment (ART)-controlled PWH to three independent control groups of 25 non-infected matched individuals by means of univariate analyses and machine learning methods. Moreover, we used two external datasets to validate predictive models of PWH classification. Next, we searched for associations between clinical and biological metabolic parameters with taxonomic and functional microbiome profiles. Finally, we compare the gut microbiome in 7 PWH after a 17-week ART switch to raltegravir/maraviroc. RESULTS: Three major enterotypes (Prevotella, Bacteroides and Ruminococcaceae) were present in all groups. The first Prevotella enterotype was enriched in PWH, with several of characteristic lineages associated with poor metabolic profiles (low HDL and adiponectin, high insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)). Conversely butyrate-producing lineages were markedly depleted in PWH independently of sexual preference and were associated with a better metabolic profile (higher HDL and adiponectin and lower HOMA-IR). Accordingly with the worst metabolic status of PWH, butyrate production and amino-acid degradation modules were associated with high HDL and adiponectin and low HOMA-IR. Random Forest models trained to classify PWH vs. control on taxonomic abundances displayed high generalization performance on two external holdout datasets (ROC AUC of 80-82%). Finally, no significant alterations in microbiome composition were observed after switching to raltegravir/maraviroc. CONCLUSION: High resolution metagenomic analyses revealed major differences in the gut microbiome of ART-controlled PWH when compared with three independent matched cohorts of controls. The observed marked insulin resistance could result both from enrichment in Prevotella lineages, and from the depletion in species producing butyrate and involved into amino-acid degradation, which depletion is linked with the HIV infection.

Humans↗

Reduction in triglyceride level with N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in HIV-infected patients taking potent antiretroviral therapy: a randomized prospective study.

To assess the evolution of triglyceride (TG) levels in HIV-infected patients receiving stable potent antiretroviral therapy treated with N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), a prospective double-blind randomized design for a reliable assessment of TG evolution was performed. One hundred twenty-two patients with TG levels >2 g/L and < or =10 g/L after a 4-week diet (baseline TG: 4.5 +/- 1.9 g/L) were randomized for 8 weeks to N-3 PUFAs (2 capsules containing 1 g of fish oil 3 times daily, n = 60), or placebo (1 g of paraffin oil capsules, n = 62). An 8-week open-label phase of N-3 PUFAs followed. Evaluation criteria were TG percent change at week 8, percentage of responders (normalization or > or =20% TG decrease), and safety issues. Ten patients with baseline TG levels >10 g/L were not randomized and received N-3 PUFAs as open treatment. The difference (PUFA - placebo) in TG percent change at week 8 was -24.6% (range: -40.9% to -8.4%; P = 0.0033), the median was -25.5% in the PUFA group versus 1% in the placebo group, and mean TG levels at week 8 were 3.4 +/- 1.8 g/L and 4.8 +/- 3.1 g/L, respectively. TG levels were normalized in 22.4% (PUFA) versus 6.5% (placebo) of patients (P = 0.013) with a > or =20% reduction in 58.6% (PUFA) versus 33.9% (placebo) of patients (P = 0.007). Under the open-label phase of N-3 PUFAs, the decrease in TG levels was sustained at week 16 for patients in the PUFA group (mean TG: 3.4 +/- 1.7 g/L), whereas a 21.2% decrease in TG levels occurred for patients in the placebo group (mean TG: 3.3 +/- 1.4 g/L). No significant differences were observed between groups in the occurrence of adverse events. The median TG change at week 8 was -43.6% (range: Q1-Q3; 95% CI: -66.5% to -4.6%) for patients with baseline TG levels >10 g/L. The difference in mean total cholesterol between groups (PUFA - placebo) at week 8 was -8.5% (P = 0.0117). This study demonstrated the efficacy of PUFAs to lower elevated TG levels in treated HIV-infected hypertriglyceridemic patients. N-3 PUFAs have a good safety profile.

Adult↗

Efficacy and safety of tenofovir double-dose in treatment-experienced HIV-infected patients: the TENOPLUS study.

Drug resistance is an increasing problem in the treatment of HIV infection. Tenofovir has been shown to inhibit HIV replication even with thymidine-associated resistance mutations (TAMs) if they are limited to two or less. Double-dose of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) (600 mg QD) was used to determine weather the drug could be virologically effective in patients harbouring HIV-strains resistant to nucleoside analogues (NRTI). A pilot, open, non-comparative add-on study, where patients failing a current antiretroviral regimen, with at least two TAMs, and naive for tenofovir, were given tenofovir 600 mg once-daily for 4 weeks, in addition to their current failing antiretroviral regimen. The primary end-point was the percentage of patients with plasma viral load (VL) reduction of at least 0.8 log(10) between baseline and week 4 (W4). Ten patients were enrolled. At baseline, the median viral load was 3.66 log(10) copies/ml (range 3.13-4.03) and the median CD4 cell count was 407/mm(3) (range 136-1102). The percentage of patients with reduction the viral load > or =0.8 log(10) was 40% at W4. After 4 weeks of treatment with tenofovir 600 mg, the median decrease in the viral load was -0.61 log(10) (range -0.05; -0.88) and the median gain of CD4 was +109/mm(3). Despite a twofold increase tenofovir plasma concentrations, no serious drug-related adverse event were recorded except for one patient experiencing an de Fanconi syndrome at week 2. This add-on pilot study supports the concept of double dose tenofovir to virologically overcome the decreased sensitivity of NRTI-resistant viruses. However, the safety of this regimen needs to be considered carefully.

Adenine↗

Ritonavir-boosted tipranavir demonstrates superior efficacy to ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors in treatment-experienced HIV-infected patients: 24-week results of the RESIST-2 trial.

BACKGROUND: Tipranavir, a novel protease inhibitor, has demonstrated antiviral activity against protease inhibitor-resistant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolates. The Randomized Evaluation of Strategic Intervention in multi-drug reSistant patients with Tipranavir (RESIST-2) trial is an ongoing, open-label, phase III trial comparing ritonavir-boosted tipranavir (TPV/r) plus an optimized background regimen with an individually optimized, ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor in treatment-experienced, HIV-1-infected patients. METHODS: Patients at 171 sites in Europe and Latin America who had received > or = 2 previous protease inhibitor regimens, had triple-antiretroviral class experience, had an HIV-1 RNA level > or = 1000 copies/mL, and had genotypically demonstrated primary protease inhibitor resistance were eligible. After genotypic resistance tests were performed, a protease inhibitor and optimized background regimen were selected before randomization. Patients were randomized to receive either TPV/r or comparator protease inhibitor-ritonavir (CPI/r) and were stratified on the basis of preselected protease inhibitor and enfuvirtide use. Treatment response was defined as a confirmed HIV-1 load reduction > or = 1 log10 less than the baseline value without a treatment change at week 24. RESULTS: A total of 863 patients were randomized and treated. At baseline, the mean HIV-1 load was 4.73 log10 copies/mL, and the mean CD4+ cell count was 218 cells/mm3. The preplanned 24-week efficacy analyses of 539 patients demonstrated treatment response rates of 41% in the TPV/r arm and 14.9% in the CPI/r arm (intent-to-treat analysis; P<.0001). The mean CD4+ cell count increased by 51 cells/mm3 in the TPV/r arm and by 18 cells/mm3 in the CPI/r arm. The most common adverse events were mild-to-moderate diarrhea, nausea, and headache. Grade 3 or greater elevations in serum transaminase, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were more frequent in the TPV/r arm. CONCLUSIONS: TPV/r had superior antiviral activity and increased immunologic benefits, compared with CPI/r, at week 24 among treatment-experienced patients infected with multidrug-resistant HIV-1.

Adolescent↗

Durable efficacy of tipranavir-ritonavir in combination with an optimised background regimen of antiretroviral drugs for treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients at 48 weeks in the Randomized Evaluation of Strategic Intervention in multi-drug reSistant patients with Tipranavir (RESIST) studies: an analysis of combined data from two randomised open-label trials.

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for HIV-1 infected individuals who have received extensive previous antiretroviral therapy are limited. We compared efficacy and safety of the novel non-peptidic protease inhibitor tipranavir co-administered with ritonavir plus an optimised background regimen with that of an investigator-selected ritonavir-boosted comparator protease inhibitor (CPI-ritonavir) in such patients. METHODS: We did a combined analysis of 48-week data from two ongoing, randomised, open-label, multinational, phase III, RESIST studies. HIV-1-infected adults with 3 months or longer previous triple antiretroviral class experience, two or more previous protease inhibitor regimens, HIV-1 RNA 1000 copies per mL or greater, and genotypically demonstrated primary resistance to protease inhibitor, were eligible. Primary endpoints were proportion of treatment responders (with reduction in viral load of 1 log(10) copies per mL or greater below baseline without treatment change) at 48 weeks and time to treatment failure through 48 weeks (intention-to-treat analysis). The RESIST studies are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, numbers NCT00054717 (RESIST-1) and NCT00144170 (RESIST-2). FINDINGS: 3324 patients were screened; 746 received tipranavir-ritonavir and 737 CPI-ritonavir. 486 (65.1%) patients on tipranavir-ritonavir and 192 (26.1%) on CPI-ritonavir remained on assigned treatment until week 48. At week 48, more patients achieved and maintained treatment response in the tipranavir-ritonavir group than in the CPI-ritonavir group (251 [33.6%] vs 113 [15.3%]; p<0.0001). Median time to treatment failure was significantly longer in the tipranavir-ritonavir group than in the CPI-ritonavir group (113 days vs 0 days; p<0.0001). Gastrointestinal system disorders and raised transaminase, cholesterol, and triglycerides were more frequent in the tipranavir-ritonavir group than in the CPI-ritonavir group. INTERPRETATION: Compared with CPI-ritonavir, tipranavir-ritonavir with an optimised background regimen provides better virological and immunological responses over 48 weeks in patients who have received extensive previous antiretroviral treatment.

Adult↗

The KLEAN study of fosamprenavir-ritonavir versus lopinavir-ritonavir, each in combination with abacavir-lamivudine, for initial treatment of HIV infection over 48 weeks: a randomised non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Lopinavir-ritonavir is a preferred protease inhibitor co-formulation for initial HIV-1 treatment. Fosamprenavir-ritonavir has shown similar efficacy and safety to lopinavir-ritonavir when each is combined with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. We compared the two treatments directly in antiretroviral-naive patients. METHODS: This open-label, non-inferiority study included 878 antiretroviral-naive, HIV-1-infected patients randomised to receive either fosamprenavir-ritonavir 700 mg/100 mg twice daily or lopinavir-ritonavir 400 mg/100 mg twice daily, each with the co-formulation of abacavir-lamivudine 600 mg/300 mg once daily. Primary endpoints were proportion of patients achieving HIV-1 RNA less than 400 copies per mL at week 48 and treatment discontinuations because of an adverse event. The intent-to-treat analysis included all patients exposed to at least one dose of randomised study medication. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00085943. FINDINGS: At week 48, non-inferiority of fosamprenavir-ritonavir to lopinavir-ritonavir (95% CI around the treatment difference -4.84 to 7.05) was shown, with 315 of 434 (73%) patients in the fosamprenavir-ritonavir group and 317 of 444 (71%) in the lopinavir-ritonavir group achieving HIV-1 RNA less than 400 copies per mL. Treatment discontinuations due to an adverse event were few and occurred with similar frequency in the two treatment groups (fosamprenavir-ritonavir 53, 12%; lopinavir-ritonavir 43, 10%). Diarrhoea, nausea, and abacavir hypersensitivity were the most frequent drug-related grade 2-4 adverse events. Treatment-emergent drug resistance was rare; no patient had virus that developed reduced susceptibility to fosamprenavir-ritonavir or lopinavir-ritonavir. INTERPRETATION: Fosamprenavir-ritonavir twice daily in treatment-naive patients provides similar antiviral efficacy, safety, tolerability, and emergence of resistance as lopinavir-ritonavir, each in combination with abacavir-lamivudine.

Carbamates↗

Association of Gag cleavage sites to protease mutations and to virological response in HIV-1 treated patients.

OBJECTIVES: The sequence variability in the protease and in the 5 Gag cleavage sites (CS) were explored to look for eventual associations between the mutations. Moreover, we have evaluated associations between the Gag region sequence and the virological response to Protease Inhibitors (PI). METHODS: The protease and the 5 Gag CS sequences from 98 PI-experienced patients were sequenced and compared to the HXB2 reference sequence. Sixty patients, treated by Saquinavir plus Ritonavir, were studied to evaluate the clinical impact of the Gag region variability. RESULTS: The relationship between 63 protease mutations and 21 Gag CS mutations were explored. Two patterns of mutations in the protease were identified: (M46I/L, I54V, V82A/T/F) was associated to the A431V and (K20I/R/M, L89M/I) to the S373Q and L449P. None of the Gag CS mutations resulting from PI treatment was associated to the virological response to SQV/r. On the other hand, the S373P mutation had a negative impact on the virological response that remained statistically significant in a multivariate analysis after adjustment on the number of PI resistance mutations. CONCLUSIONS: These results evoke the pertinence to introduce some mutations found in the Gag CS in the algorithms used for the interpretation of resistance testing.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Relationship between antiretrovirals used as part of a cART regimen and CD4 cell count increases in patients with suppressed viremia.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown if the CD4 cell count response differs according to antiretroviral drugs used in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in patients with maximal virological suppression [viral load (VL) < 50 copies/ml]. OBJECTIVES: To compare the change in CD4 cell count over consecutive measurements with VL < 50 copies/ml at both time-points according to nucleoside backbones and other antiretrovirals used. METHODS: Generalized linear models, accounting for multiple measurements within patients, were used to compare CD4 cell count changes after adjustment for antiretrovirals, time from starting cART, age, CD4 at first VL < 50 copies/ml, prior antiretroviral treatment, and change in CD4 cell count since starting cART. RESULTS: We studied 28418 instances of VL < 50 copies/ml in 4041 patients. The mean annual change in CD4 cell count was +45.5/microl [95% confidence interval (CI) +39.4 to +51.6/microl). Comparing two drug nucleoside backbones, there was a lower annual change in CD4 cell count for zidovudine/lamivudine (n = 13038; -15.4/microl; P = 0.012) and for those on tenofovir (n = 1809; -27.3/microl; P = 0.029) compared to lamivudine/stavudine (n = 7339). Compared to the boosted-protease inhibitor regimen (n = 5915), use of an abacavir-based triple-nucleoside regimen was associated with a lower annual change in CD4 cell count (n = 2504 pairs; -26.1/microl; P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: A nucleoside backbone of zidovudine/lamivudine or any tenofovir-based backbone was associated with significantly poorer increases in CD4 cell count compared to a nucleoside backbone of stavudine/lamivudine, as was an abacavir-based triple nucleoside regimen compared to a boosted protease inhibitor regimen. Long-term studies are needed to determine whether the differences in immunological response seen here translate into differences in the risk of clinical disease.

Adenine↗

Efficacy of early treatment of acute hepatitis C infection with pegylated interferon and ribavirin in HIV-infected patients.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of acute hepatitis C (HCV) in HIV-infected patients has been poorly addressed. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a 24 week course of pegylated interferon alfa 2a (PegIFNalpha2a) and ribavirin for the treatment of acute HCV infection in HIV-infected patients. METHODS: This was a prospective pilot study of 25 consecutive HIV-infected men with acute HCV infection defined by documented HCV seroconversion to anti-HCV positive antibody and positive qualitative HCV RNA measurement. Patients with detectable HCV RNA (> 50 IU/ml) 12 weeks after diagnosis were offered treatment with PegIFNalpha2a (180 microg/week) and ribavirin (800 mg/day) for 24 weeks. Sustained virological response was defined by a negative qualitative HCV RNA measurement 24 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: At baseline, 23 patients were taking HAART, 23 patients had HIV RNA < 200 copies/ml and a median CD4 count of 345 cells/microl. Only one patient, with genotype 3 HCV, had a spontaneous clearance of HCV RNA. Of the remaining 24 patients, four refused anti-HCV therapy, ribavirin was contraindicated in one and 19 initiated anti-HCV therapy. Median time between acute HCV diagnosis and initiation of study treatment was 14 weeks. Of the 14 patients who have achieved the post-treatment follow-up at 24 weeks, 10 had a sustained virological response (71%). Study treatment was well tolerated, with no change in CD4 cell count. CONCLUSION: Early treatment of acute HCV infection with PegIFNalpha2a and ribavirin for 24 weeks yields a high sustained virological response rate in HIV-infected patients.

Acute Disease↗

Changing electrolyte and acido-basic profile in HIV-infected patients in the HAART era.

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected patients may develop a variety of underreported metabolic abnormalities that may be classified into HIVAN, specific HIV abnormalities, coincidental renal disorders and anti-retroviral-treatment-induced side effects. METHODS: Our descriptive cross-sectional study evaluates the prevalence of electrolyte and acid base disorders in HIV patients in the HAART era in a tertiary care teaching hospital. All consecutive HIV-infected patients (n = 1,232) presenting at our Department of Infectious Disease over 3 months were included. MEASUREMENTS: All available biochemical data obtained at admission or on the day of the visit were analyzed. We identified risk factors for electrolyte and acid base disorders with univariate regression analysis and multivariate stepwise regression analysis. Variables tested for significance included age, sex, absolute CD4 and CD8 counts, hepatitis B and C antibodies, and use and type of anti-retroviral medication. RESULTS: Most frequent and clinically relevant abnormalities were hyperuricemia in 41.3%, hypophosphatemia in 17.2% and low bicarbonate level in 13.6% of HIV-tested patients. Plasma magnesium was out of the normal range in 38.9% and blood glucose in 25.3% of the tested patients. When CD4 count was below 200/mm3, 9.2% of tested patients experienced low serum calcium (vs. 0.5% if CD4 count >200/mm3, p < 0.002), 11.4% increased creatinine plasma level (vs. 2.3% if CD4 count >200/mm3, p < 0.0001) and 24.5% low serum bicarbonate (vs. 13.7% if CD4 count >200/mm3, p < 0.0001). Protease inhibitor treatment was a significant risk factor of hyperuricemia (p < 0.003). Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor therapy was significantly associated with less hyperuricemia (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.38-0.96) and with hypophosphatemia (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.4). CONCLUSIONS: The profile of biochemical abnormalities in HIV-infected patients has changed, hyperuricemia and hypophosphatemia being the most prevalent. Causes are poorly understood. Interpretation of drug-induced side effects in the HIV patient is only meaningful if performed versus a control group of patients.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

Week-12 response to therapy as a predictor of week 24, 48, and 96 outcome in patients receiving the HIV fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide in the T-20 versus Optimized Regimen Only (TORO) trials.

BACKGROUND: Early virological response to antiretroviral therapy is predictive of long-term treatment outcome in therapy-naive patients. In treatment-experienced patients, such correlations are less well defined, because initial responses may be less pronounced and transient because of accumulated cross-resistance to prior therapies. Our objectives were to explore how the virological and immunological status of treatment-experienced patients at an early time point (week 12) during enfuvirtide-based therapy predicted their responses at weeks 24, 48, and 96 in the T-20 versus Optimized Regimen Only (TORO) trials. METHODS: Post hoc, modified, on-treatment and intent-to-treat analyses were performed to determine whether the relationship between virological and immunological outcomes at weeks 24, 48, and 96 were predicted by the patients' week-12 responses to therapy. RESULTS: Using a modified on-treatment analysis for patients who, by week 12, achieved a decrease in their HIV-1 RNA load of > or =1 log10 copies/mL, 39.2% (95% CI, 33.6%-44.8%) and 59.5% (95% CI, 53.8%-65.1%) achieved a viral load of <50 copies/mL or <400 copies/mL at week 96, respectively, compared with 1.3% (95% CI, 0%-3.8%) and 2.6% (95% CI, 0%-6.1%) of patients, respectively, who did not achieve an early virological response. Using the same modified on-treatment analysis method for patients who, at week 12, achieved a CD4 cell count increase of > or =50 cells/mm3, 87.2% (95% CI, 82.6-91.8) maintained or improved this response through week 96, compared with 56.6% (95% CI, 47.5-65.8) of patients who did not achieve this early categorical immunological response. CONCLUSION: Enfuvirtide-based treatment regimens are associated with a rapid and durable response. Week-12 virological and immunological responses to treatment with enfuvirtide are predictive of subsequent outcomes in triple-class treatment-experienced patients.

Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic↗

Role of HIV-1 minority populations on resistance mutational pattern evolution and susceptibility to protease inhibitors.

We investigated, in the protease and GAG cleavage sites, the role of minority populations on the evolution of resistance to a subsequent boosted protease inhibitor (PI) regimen after a first failure to nelfinavir. Two pathways were observed: the addition of mutations to a currently dominant genotype when minority variants are not shown, or the emergence of a minority variant as a dominant strain. These minor species, not detected by standard genotype, may influence PI susceptibility.

Drug Resistance, Multiple, Viral↗

Anti-hepatitis B virus efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in HIV-infected patients.

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) has shown in vitro activity against both HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV). We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of TDF (300 mg/d), administered as a part of anti-retroviral therapy, in a large cohort of HIV/HBV-coinfected patients. Sixty-five HIV/HBV-coinfected patients who received TDF for at least 6 months with serum HBV DNA levels above 2.3 log10 copies/mL at TDF initiation and who had stored serum samples before and during TDF therapy were included. Serum HBV DNA was measured on stored samples. The median follow-up period was 12 (Q1-Q3: 8-17) months. Serum hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) was positive in 54 patients (83.1%). Fifty-two patients (80.0%) were receiving lamivudine (LAM) (150 mg twice a day), and 68.8% had documented LAM resistance at baseline. Among HBeAg-positive patients, the median reduction from baseline (8.17; Q1-Q3 = 7.30-8.30 log10 copies/mL) of serum HBV DNA was 4.56 log10 copies/mL (Q1-Q3 = 3.33-5.55) (P < .0001). In HBeAg-negative patients, serum HBV DNA decline from baseline (4.83; Q1-Q3 = 2.69-6.40 log10 copies/mL) was 2.53 log10 copies/mL (Q1-Q3 = 0.39-4.10). At the end of the study, HBV DNA became undetectable in 29.6% and 81.6% of the HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients, respectively. Serum HBeAg became negative in 4 patients, 2 of whom acquired serum hepatitis B e antibody. In conclusion, this retrospective analysis demonstrates the efficacy of TDF against wild-type, presumed precore mutants and LAM-resistant HBV when used as a part of anti-retroviral therapy in HIV-coinfected patients.

Adenine↗

[Non-AIDS-defining malignancies in HIV patients: clinical features and perspectives].

Eventhough the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has dramatically improved patient outcome and provided a significant shrinking of the cases and severity of opportunistic infections, AIDS malignancies have become responsible of a new vexing challenge in HIV patient care and cure. Indeed, malignant tumors currently rank among the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients infected with HIV. In addition to the AIDS-malignancies, non-AIDS defining tumors have a higher incidence than the general population such as Hodgkin disease, lung cancer, cutaneaous cancer and anal cancer. These malignant tumors are generally characterized by a more aggressive behaviour at diagnosis and a poorer outcome compared with the same tumors in the general population. Although recent therapeutic advances have been made in chemotherapy, combinations with antiretroviral agents, for many of these malignancies the pronostic remains poor and there is a deeply lack of current therapeutic guidelines for these cancer patients care and cure. These recommendations might be the fruit of a new networking between HIV specialists and oncologists and of an improving knowledge of the pathogenesis and clinical features of these AIDS non-defining tumors.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗

Foscarnet salvage therapy for patients with late-stage HIV disease and multiple drug resistance.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of foscarnet on HIV infection in patients with late-stage HIV disease and multiple drug resistance. METHODS: Three drugs experienced patients with plasma viral load (pVL) > 50,000 copies/ml and CD4+ T-cell counts < 100/mm3 were eligible for this open-label, single-arm, add-on pilot study. Foscarnet induction therapy consisted of 5 g intravenously twice daily for 6 weeks, in addition to a stable antiretroviral regimen. Patients with at least 1 log10 decrease in pVL at week 6 (W6), were given foscarnet 5 g intravenously twice daily on two consecutive days each week. Primary endpoint was the virological response rate at W6. RESULTS: Eleven patients were enrolled with a median baseline pVL at 5.16 log10 copies/ml, median CD4+ T-cell count at 10/mm3 and median number of mutations of 9, 2 and 12 associated with resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-NRTIs and protease inhibitors, respectively. One patient discontinued foscarnet at W2 because of renal toxicity. In an intent-to-treat analysis, the median change in pVL from baseline was -1.99 log10 copies/ml at W2 and -1.79 log10 copies/ml at W6. Eight out of eleven patients had a fall in pVL of at least 1 log10 at W6, and six started maintenance therapy. The median fall in pVL after 12 weeks of maintenance therapy was -0.85 log10 copies/ml in the four patients who reached W12, and the median increase of CD4+ T-cell count was 60/mm3. CONCLUSION: In patients with HIV mutations conferring resistance to all antiretroviral drug classes, foscarnet markedly reduced plasma HIV load and improved immunological status.

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↗