HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Protease inhibitor therapy is associated with markedly prolonged time to relapse and improved survival in AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis.

Abstract
Prior to the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV-R) in AIDS patients was characterized by multiple relapses and decreased survival. Recent data suggest that CMV-R in patients treated with HAART may remain relapse-free for long periods. We performed a study of the effects of HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) on the incidence of relapse and time to death in AIDS patients with CMV-R treated with anti-CMV therapy. Medical records of all AIDS patients with CMV-R at Parkland Memorial Health and Hospital System treated with anti-CMV agents were reviewed for date of diagnosis of CMV-R, date of CMV-R relapse, type and duration of anti-CMV therapy, and duration of PI therapy. Relapse rates in subjects treated with PIs were compared with the relapse rates in those who were not treated with PIs. The primary endpoint was the time to relapse and death as determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed by Cox proportional hazard model. One hundred and nine cases of CMV-R were identified in 75 patients. Median follow-up time was 247 days (range 31-1818 days). There were 0.54 relapses per 1000 patient days in the group treated with PIs compared with 1.83 relapses per 1000 patient days in the non-PI treatment group (relative risk [RR]=0.29, P<0.01). Time to relapse was increased in the PI treatment group compared with the non-PI treatment group (endpoint not reached vs 182 days, P<0.001, log-rank). Similarly, the time to relapse or death was increased in the PI group compared with the non-PI group (543 days vs 103 days, P<0.001, log-rank). Multivariate analysis utilizing the Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that only PI therapy but not anti-CMV therapy was associated with decreased risk of CMV-R relapse or death. Only 3 patients with an undetectable HIV viral load and one patient with a CD4 count >120 cells/microl had a relapse. We conclude that patients with CMV-R treated with HAART containing a PI have increased time to relapse and have prolonged survival.
AuthorsD J Skiest, T Chiller, K Chiller, A Park, P Keiser
JournalInternational journal of STD & AIDS (Int J STD AIDS) Vol. 12 Issue 10 Pg. 659-64 (Oct 2001) ISSN: 0956-4624 [Print] England
PMID11564333 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Protease Inhibitors
Topics
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections (drug therapy, mortality)
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cytomegalovirus Retinitis (drug therapy)
  • Humans
  • Protease Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Secondary Prevention
  • Survival Analysis
  • Time Factors

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: