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Joep M A Lange

Publications and source records attributed to Joep M A Lange.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effects of active treatment discontinuation in patients with a CD4+ T-cell nadir greater than 350 cells/mm3: 48-week Treatment Interruption in Early Starters Netherlands Study (TRIESTAN).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of discontinuing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-1-positive patients who initiated HAART at a CD4+ T-cell count >350 cells/mm. METHODS: Eligible patients were identified from the Dutch AIDS Therapy Evaluation, The Netherlands (ATHENA) national observational cohort. Interruption or continuation of HAART was offered to all. RESULTS: Of 71 patients enrolled, 46 (64%) interrupted HAART (STOP group) and 25 (36%) continued HAART (control group). The median CD4+ T-cell nadirs at the start of HAART were 469 (interquartile range [IQR]: 430-720) cells/mm3 and 510 (IQR: 440-637) cells/mm3, respectively. At week 48, the median plasma HIV RNA level in the STOP group had stabilized at approximately pre-HAART values (4.55 log10, IQR: 4.2-4.9 copies/mL), but the CD4+ T-cell count still exceeded the pre-HAART count (563 cells/mm3, IQR: 450-710 cells/mm3). Only 5 patients (11%) had reinitiated HAART after 48 weeks, all for personal reasons. No Centers for Disease Control and Prevention category events or death occurred after interruption. In 6 (13%) of 46 patients, mild symptoms of acute retroviral rebound syndrome (ARVS) were identified. No improvement was observed in mental or physical health scores. In 37% of patients, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor drug concentrations were still detectable 1 week after stopping. CONCLUSIONS: Although HAART can safely be interrupted in patients with a high CD4 T-cell nadir, no improvement in quality of life was established. Patients can experience ARVS, the risk for development of resistance after treatment interruption is realistic, and there is a potential hazard of HIV transmission to sexual partners. We would not actively advise stopping treatment in patients who started treatment too early according to current guidelines.

Adult↗

Viral decay dynamics in HIV-infected patients receiving ritonavir-boosted saquinavir and efavirenz with or without enfuvirtide: a randomized, controlled trial (HIV-NAT 012).

The availability of enfuvirtide enables assessment of whether human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) decay can be enhanced by targeting reverse transcriptase, protease, and fusion. We performed a 12-week study of 22 patients randomized to receive ritonavir-boosted saquinavir and efavirenz with (the 3-target arm) or without (the 2-target arm) enfuvirtide. We observed no difference in the mean+/-SD elimination-rate constant for overall decay (0.142+/-0.040 per day and 0.128 +/- 0.033 per day in the 2- and 3-target arms, respectively; P>.1) or for modeled first-phase decay rate (-0.62+/-0.34 per day and -0.51+/-0.16 per day; P>.1). Antiretroviral therapy that inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase and protease exerts potent antiviral effects that might not be augmented by the addition of an HIV fusion inhibitor.

Alkynes↗

Changes in body composition and mitochondrial nucleic acid content in patients switched from failed nucleoside analogue therapy to ritonavir-boosted indinavir and efavirenz.

BACKGROUND: Body composition changes complicate antiretroviral therapy. Improvements in lipoatrophy after a switch in nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) have been demonstrated. We investigated 60 patients switching from failed NRTIs to ritonavir-boosted indinavir and efavirenz. METHODS: Body composition (assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan and by single-slice computed tomography of the abdomen through the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra [L4] and the mid-right thigh) and fasted metabolics were measured at the baseline time-point at switch and at weeks 48 and 96 thereafter. Mitochondrial DNA and RNA were extracted from right-thigh subcutaneous fat and peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at weeks 0 and 48. The primary end point was the change in mean limb fat over 48 weeks. RESULTS: At week 96, we observed increases in mean (standard deviation [SD]) limb fat (+620 [974] g; P=.003), L4 subcutaneous adipose tissue (+20 [35] cm(2); P<.001), mid-thigh subcutaneous adipose tissue (+5 [10] cm(2); P<.001), and L4 visceral adipose tissue (+11 [34] cm(2); P=.01), but we also observed reduced lean limb mass (-831 [1,100] g; P=.3). Mean (SD) mtDNA content in subcutaneous fat and in PBMCs increased (+109 [274] and +45 [100] copies/cell, respectively). Improved virological control or immune recovery did not explain the results. Triglyceride, total cholesterol, estimated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood glucose levels deteriorated (i.e., had increased by 206%, 67%, 58%, 19%, and 6%, respectively, at week 96). CONCLUSIONS: This regimen was associated with statistically significant but clinically modest increases in peripheral fat, visceral fat, and mitochondrial nucleic acid content. A predominantly adverse metabolic profile developed.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

The use of pharmacokinetically guided indinavir dose reductions in the management of indinavir-associated renal toxicity.

OBJECTIVES: Indinavir is associated with nephrotoxicity. Therapeutic drug monitoring of indinavir improves clinical outcome, but there is little data regarding therapeutic drug monitoring for patients with established indinavir-associated renal impairment. We prospectively studied the use of therapeutic drug monitoring in patients with virological success but established nephrotoxicity on an indinavir-containing regimen. METHODS: We measured indinavir C(trough)/C(2h), serum creatinine, pyuria, blood pressure (BP), weight and HIV RNA. The major endpoint of interest was the number of patients achieving a normal creatinine level 20 weeks following final indinavir dose adjustment. Primary analysis was by intention to treat (ITT). RESULTS: A total of 35 patients were enrolled; mean (SD) age 40.3 (5.8) years; mean (SD) BMI 21.5 (2.8) kg/m(2). At baseline 6/35 (17%) had a serum creatinine concentration within normal limits, but were offered enrolment because of previous nephrotoxicity (nephrolithiasis and/or abnormal serum creatinine), and a screening pharmacokinetic profile associated with increased nephrotoxicity risk. By ITT analysis 11/35 (31%) had normal creatinine at study end (P = 0.18). Of the 29 patients with abnormal creatinine at baseline, 7/29 (24.1%) had normal creatinine at study end (P = 0.016). Patients had a median (IQR) indinavir per dose adjustment over the study of 400 (400-800) mg. We observed improvements in estimated creatinine clearance, pyuria, resting BP and indinavir pharmacokinetic profile. HIV RNA control was maintained with continued immune recovery despite lower indinavir doses. CONCLUSIONS: Patients experiencing nephrotoxicity on an indinavir-containing regimen were safely maintained on indinavir by means of therapeutic drug monitoring. Parameters of renal function improved but did not return to baseline values, at least in the short-term.

Adult↗

Viral dynamics after starting first-line HAART in HIV-1-infected children.

BACKGROUND: After starting HAART, the plasma HIV-1 RNA (pVL) declines rapidly to undetectable levels in most treated adults and children. The viral dynamics in children are assumed to differ from those in adults. Therefore viral decay and time to reach a pVL of < 400 copies/ml during the first weeks after starting HAART were studied in a cohort of HIV-1-infected children. METHODS: Viral decay expressed as half-life and time to reach a pVL of < 400 copies/ml in 39 HIV-1-infected children starting HAART were calculated and correlated with age, pretreatment with antiretroviral mono- or duo-therapy, and baseline pVL. RESULTS: Baseline pVL correlated with age (r, -0.41; P = 0.01). Median half-life of the virus was 2.1 days (interquartile range, 1.8-3.0 days). No correlation was found between the half-life of the virus and the baseline pVL at the start of treatment, antiretroviral pretreatment or age. Eight children did not reach a pVL of < 400 copies/ml with the first allocated medication regimen. These children were significantly younger than those in whom HIV was successfully suppressed (P = 0.009). The remaining 31 children reached a pVL of < 400 copies/ml in a median of 8.1 weeks after the start of therapy; time to reach a pVL of < 400 copies/ml was only correlated with baseline pVL. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that pVL at baseline correlated with age. HAART was able to suppress pVL below the lower limit of detection in children with a viral decay rate of 2.1 days, similar to adults and irrespective of baseline pVL.

Age Factors↗

Long-term experience with combination antiretroviral therapy that contains nelfinavir for up to 7 years in a pediatric cohort.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to provide long-term data on the clinical, immunologic, and virologic response to highly active antiretroviral therapy in infants and children who are naive to protease inhibitors. METHODS: HIV-1-infected children who were naive to protease inhibitors were treated with a combination of nelfinavir and 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (stavudine and lamivudine) in an observational, prospective, single-center study. Virologic failure-free survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analyses. The increase in CD4+ T cells during follow-up was estimated with a generalized linear model incorporating repeated measurements. RESULTS: Thirty-nine HIV-1-infected children were included and followed for a median period of 227 weeks (interquartile range: 108-275 weeks). The virologic failure-free survival rate was 74%, 66%, 58%, and 54% after 48, 96, 144, and 240 weeks, respectively. Children who experienced virologic failure in 48 weeks (or 96 weeks) were younger at baseline compared with the responders (0.8 vs 5.3 years). Eighteen children remained on the regimen for >5 years. All children, including the nonresponders, showed a sustained immunologic response. Grades 3 to 4 toxicity was observed in 2 patients only. Eleven developed clinically evident lipodystrophy. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy can be used safely in infants and children over a long period. Young age is strongly associated with virologic failure. Although the virologic response declined, immunologic parameters and clinical improvement were sustained up to 7 years, at the expense of lipodystrophy.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗

Relationship between hyperbilirubinaemia and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) polymorphism in adult HIV-infected Thai patients treated with indinavir.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between the UGT1A1*6 (G71R) and UGT1A1*28 (promoter (TA)7-repeat) genotypes and hyperbilirubinaemia in Thai patients treated with indinavir, and characterize the inhibition of human UGTs by indinavir in vitro. METHODS: Ninety-six Thai HIV patients receiving indinavir, 800 mg t.i.d. or 800 mg b.i.d. "boosted" with ritonavir (100 mg b.i.d.), had serum bilirubin levels measured to 24 weeks post-treatment and were genotyped for UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28. The inhibition selectivity and kinetics of indinavir were determined using a panel of recombinant human UGTs. RESULTS: UGT1A1*6 and UGT1A1*28 frequencies in the Thai patients were 10.4% and 15.6%, respectively. Total, conjugated (direct) and unconjugated (indirect) serum bilirubin concentrations increased significantly at 24 weeks of indinavir treatment for all four genotypes, with a trend towards higher levels depending on the number of UGT1A1 mutant alleles; *6/*28 > *6 > *28 > reference. The hazards ratio (HR) for serious hyperbilirubinaemia (total bilirubin > 2.5 mg/dl) at week 24 was statistically significant only in those patients carrying the UGT1A1*6 (HR 2.87) and UGT1A1*6/*28 (HR 11.42) genotypes. The Ki values for indinavir inhibition of UGT1A1 and UGT1A1*6 were 4.1 and 10.7 mumol/l respectively. However, indinavir was also shown to inhibit other human UGTs, notably UGT1A3 and UGT1A7. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to Caucasian HIV-infected patients treated with indinavir, the promoter polymorphism (UGT1A1*28) is of less significance than the coding region (UGT1A1*6) mutation as a risk factor for hyperbilirubinaemia. The Ki values determined for indinavir inhibition of UGT1A1 are consistent with an interaction in vivo, with an additive effect in patients with already impaired bilirubin glucuronidation activity.

Adult↗

Long-term highly active antiretroviral therapy in chronic HIV-1 infection: evidence for reconstitution of antiviral immunity.

In this study we investigated the long-term effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on HIV-specific CD4+ T-cell responses in comparison with virus-specific CD4+ T-cell responses against the persistent herpes viruses cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). To this end, HIV- and herpes virus-specific cellular immune responses were measured longitudinally in 10 seroconverters with long-term follow-up including 55 months of successful suppression of viral load by HAART. HIV- and CMV-specific CD4+ T cells producing interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) or interleukin-2 (IL-2) were analysed as well as proliferative capacity. EBV-specific CD4+ T cells were determined using a 12-day ex vivo assay. Initiation of HAART resulted in a transient increase of HIV-specific IL-2(+)IFNgamma(+)CD4(+) T cells and, to a lesser extent, IL-2(+)CD4(+) T cells. Long-term HAART resulted in an increase in HIV-, CMV- and EBV-specific CD4+ T-cell proliferative capacity. The increase in HIV- and herpes-virus-specific CD4+ T-cell proliferative capacity after 55 months of HAART suggests that the improved proliferative response is not specific for HIV, but reflects a more general improvement of antiviral immune responses, which is induced by HAART.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗

Interindividual variability of once-daily ritonavir boosted saquinavir pharmacokinetics in Thai and UK patients.

OBJECTIVES: Differential exposure to saquinavir/ritonavir may lead to therapy failure. The objective was to identify factors that influence variability of saquinavir/ritonavir plasma concentrations. METHODS: Saquinavir/ritonavir data, dosed as 1600/100 mg once daily, from three separate pharmacokinetic studies, in 45 patients from Thailand and the UK, were pooled. Pharmacokinetic parameters were based on non-compartmental analysis. Univariate analysis was performed with saquinavir as the dependent variable, and ritonavir area under the curve (AUC), gender, body weight, body mass index (BMI) and study site as independent variables. Variables with a P value <0.10 were included in a multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Higher saquinavir AUCs, maximum concentrations (Cmax) and minimum concentrations (Cmin) were seen in Thai patients than in UK patients. Univariate analysis showed associations between body weight, gender, study site and ritonavir AUC and saquinavir AUC (P < 0.05), whereas BMI (P = 0.13) did not. In the multivariate analysis, ritonavir AUC (P = 0.0001) and study site (P = 0.0021) were significantly related to saquinavir AUC (R2 = 0.50). CONCLUSIONS: The ritonavir AUC and study site appeared to be related to exposure of saquinavir. Study site should be viewed as the total of country- and study-specific differences--such as differences in lifestyle, environment, genetic background and dietary composition--between the analysed studies.

Adult↗

Reconstitution of EBV latent but not lytic antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after HIV treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy.

The incidence of (EBV-related) malignancies in HIV-infected subjects has declined since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). To investigate the effect of HAART on EBV infection, we performed a longitudinal analysis of the T cell response to both a latent and a lytic Ag and EBV viral load in 10 subjects from early in HIV infection up to 5 years after HAART. All individuals responded to HAART by a decline in HIV viral load, a restoration of total CD4+ T cell numbers, and a decline in T cell immune activation. Despite this, EBV load remained unaltered, even after 5 years of therapy, although a decline in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells specific for the lytic EBV protein BZLF1 suggested a decreased EBV reactivation rate. In contrast, latent EBV Ag EBNA1-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses were restored after 5 years of treatment to levels comparable to healthy individuals. In two individuals who were treated by HAART late during HIV progression, a lymphoma developed shortly after initiation of HAART, despite restoration of EBV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In conclusion, long-term HAART does not alter the EBV DNA load, but does lead to a restoration of EBNA1-specific T cell responses, which might allow better control of EBV-infected cells when applied early enough during HIV infection.

Adult↗

Analysis of the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy during acute HIV-1 infection on HIV-specific CD4 T cell functions.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that antiretroviral therapy (HAART) during acute HIV-1 infection may rescue HIV-1-specific CD4 T cell responses. OBJECTIVE: To determine the duration of this preserved response by investigating the long-term effects of HAART during acute infection on HIV-specific CD4 T cell function related to possible immune control during subsequent therapy interruption. METHODS: A longitudinal analysis followed HIV-specific CD4 T cell reactivity in 17 individuals with well-documented acute HIV-1 infection where five out of 11 HAART-treated patients stopped therapy and six were untreated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with overlapping peptide pools derived from Gag and Nef. Production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) by CD4 T cells was analysed together with proliferative responses. RESULTS: Absolute numbers, but not percentages, of Gag-specific IFN-gamma-, IL-2- or IFN-gamma/IL-2-producing CD4 T cells were increased in treated compared with untreated individuals up to 2 years after seroconversion. HAART during acute HIV-1 infection was associated with lower viral load but did not result in increased proliferation of HIV-specific CD4 T cells. One out of five individuals who discontinued therapy showed evidence for immune control. However, patients who failed to control viraemia also had measurable proliferative HIV-specific CD4 T cell responses and preserved numbers of cytokine-producing CD4 T cells. CONCLUSIONS: Early HAART during acute HIV-1 infection resulted in higher numbers of HIV-specific IFN-gamma- and IL-2-producing CD4 T cells, but this preservation in four out of five patients was not associated with control of viraemia upon treatment interruption.

Acute Disease↗

Cytomegalovirus rather than HIV triggers the outgrowth of effector CD8+CD45RA+CD27- T cells in HIV-1-infected children.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effect of viral coinfections on immune reconstitution in HIV-1-infected children (< 18 years) taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS: Absolute lymphocyte numbers of various subsets of CD8 T cells were measured. RESULTS: Prior cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection correlated with an increased number of CD8 effector T cells (i.e., CD45RA+CD27-) at baseline (CMV-seropositive versus CMV-seronegative patients; P = 0.009), as well as an increased state of T cell activation as defined by HLA-DR and CD38 expression. The expansion of effector CD8 T cells persisted over time, independent of the HIV response to HAART. Numbers of CD8 effector T cells were significantly higher in patients with CMV replication as reflected by persistent urinary CMV shedding and periodic CMV DNAaemia (P = 0.02). These patients also showed an increase in CMV-specific antibodies compared with those without CMV shedding (P = 0.007). The number of CMV-specific interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-producing CD8 T cells was lower in children who persistently shed CMV compared with those who did not (P = 0.02). In contrast, CMV-specific CD4 T cell responses were detected at similar levels in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In HIV-1-infected children, CMV infection correlated with the outgrowth of CD8+CD45RA+CD27- effector T cells. Activation of the immune system by persistent CMV secretion resulted in increasing CMV-specific IgG and higher numbers of CD8 effector T cells. Despite these increases, the CMV-specific IFN-gamma-producing CD8 T cell response was diminished, which could explain the inability to suppress CMV completely in 41% of HIV-1-infected children.

Adolescent↗

Plasma HIV-1 RNA decline within the first two weeks of treatment is comparable for nevirapine, efavirenz, or both drugs combined and is not predictive of long-term virologic efficacy: A 2NN substudy.

BACKGROUND: The initial rate of plasma HIV-1 RNA (pVL) decline has been proposed as a marker of early efficacy of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and a possible predictor of late efficacy. We compared the rate of pVL decline in patients starting ART with nevirapine (NVP), efavirenz (EFV), or both drugs combined in addition to lamivudine (3TC) and stavudine (d4T). METHODS: Analysis of the viral decay constant (VDc) during the first 2 weeks of treatment in patients enrolled in the 2NN study who remained on allocated treatment. RESULTS: The median VDc (log10 copies per day, [interquartile range]) was similar for NVP (0.30 [0.25-0.36], EFV (0.31 [0.27-0.37]), and NVP + EFV (0.30 [0.27-0.36]). Patients with a baseline pVL >100,000 copies/mL were 8.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.2-12.3) times more likely to have a VDc >75th percentile. A high VDc was not associated with plasma drug concentration or with a decreased risk of virologic failure at week 48 after the start of therapy (hazard ratio = 0.8, 95% CI: 0.6-1.2). CONCLUSION: NVP, EFV, or NVP + EFV in combination with 3TC and d4T show similar rates of pVL decline during the first 2 weeks of treatment. The VDc with these regimens is not predictive of late virologic efficacy.

Adult↗

GB virus C coinfection and HIV-1 disease progression: The Amsterdam Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The effect that GB virus C (GBV-C) coinfection has on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease progression is controversial and therefore was studied in 326 homosexual men from the prospective Amsterdam Cohort Studies who had an accurately estimated date of HIV-1 seroconversion and were followed up for a median period of 8 years. METHODS: A first plasma sample, obtained shortly after HIV-1 seroconversion, and a last plasma sample, obtained before 1996, were tested for GBV-C RNA and envelope protein-2 antibodies. The effect that GBV-C has on HIV-1 disease progression was studied by use of time-dependent Cox proportional-hazards models with adjustment for baseline variables and time-updated HIV-1 RNA and CD4(+) cell count. RESULTS: Men who lost GBV-C RNA between collection of the first sample and collection of the last sample had a nearly 3-fold-higher risk of HIV-1 disease progression than did men who had never had GBV-C RNA. This effect became much smaller after adjustment for time-updated CD4(+) cell count. CONCLUSION: Rather than a positive effect of GBV-C RNA presence, a negative effect of GBV-C RNA loss on HIV-1 disease progression was found, which disappeared after adjustment for time-updated CD4(+) cell count. We therefore hypothesize that GBV-C RNA persistence depends on the presence of a sufficient number of CD4(+) cells--and that the CD4(+) cell decrease associated with HIV-1 disease progression is a cause, not a consequence, of GBV-C RNA loss.

Adult↗