Enfuvirtide, a new treatment for HIV infection.

Abstract

Enfuvirtide is the first in a new class of drugs called fusion inhibitors. It was recently approved in Canada for the treatment of patients with evidence of HIV-1 replication despite ongoing antiretroviral therapy. Current evidence on safety and efficacy is limited to 48-week studies. Two phase III trials found that in treatment-experienced patients failing antiretroviral treatment, the addition of subcutanous enfuvirtide to an optimized oral background antiretroviral regimen significantly reduced viral load and increased CD4 cell counts. Potential high cost and limited supply may reduce access to this treatment.

• Authors: Sukaina Moledina, Michel Boucher
• Journal: Issues in emerging health technologies (Issues Emerg Health Technol) Issue 50 Pg. 1-6 (Oct 2003) ISSN: 1488-6316 [Print] Canada
• PMID: 14594020 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-HIV Agents
• HIV Envelope Protein gp41

Topics

• Anti-HIV Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, economics, therapeutic use)
• Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
• Canada
• Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic
• Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
• Drug Approval
• Drug Costs
• Europe
• HIV Envelope Protein gp41 (administration & dosage, adverse effects, economics, therapeutic use)
• HIV Infections (drug therapy)
• Health Services Accessibility
• Humans
• Legislation, Drug
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Treatment Outcome
• United States