PHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENT OF HIV INFECTION

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

PHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENT OF HIV INFECTION

AIDS: Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. Second Edition. DeVita VT Jr et al, eds. Philadelphia, Lippincott, p. 277-93, 1988.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/89650911
Yarchoan R; Broder S; Clinical Oncology Program, Div. of Cancer Treatment, NCI,; Bethesda, MD

Abstract: In the short period of time since AIDS was recognized as a new clinical entity, the virus responsible for causing this disease (HIV) has been identified and several agents have been found to block the replication of the virus in vitro. One of these is AZT, which has been shown to reduce the morbidity and mortality of patients (pts) with AIDS. This demonstration of clinical efficacy, including limited reversal of the neurologic dysfunction caused by HIV, has stimulated the study of other antiretroviral agents. The rationale for the use of antiretroviral therapy in pts with AIDS is based on a number of premises: (1) that replication of HIV is important in the pathogenesis and maintenance of the disease state; (2) that at any one point in time most helper T cells (or other relevant cells) are not infected with HIV; (3) that infected cells die in a relatively short time; (4) that it is possible to stop the replication of HIV and thus block the spread of the virus; and (5) that the damaged organs have at least some regenerative potential. The rationale for antiviral therapy in pts with HIV infection is discussed, the development of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT) and results obtained with several additional antiviral agents (2',3'-dideoxycytidine, 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine, 2',3'-dideoxyinosine, reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and other antiretroviral drugs) are described. Activity of antiretroviral drugs on viruses other than HIV also is discussed. (114 Refs)

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/COMPLICATIONS/*DRUG THERAPY Antiviral Agents/*THERAPEUTIC USE AIDS-Related Complex/DRUG THERAPY Brain Diseases/DRUG THERAPY Dideoxynucleosides/THERAPEUTIC USE Human HIV/*DRUG EFFECTS RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase/ANTAGONISTS & INHIB Sarcoma, Kaposi's/DRUG THERAPY Skin Neoplasms/DRUG THERAPY Zidovudine/THERAPEUTIC USE MONOGRAPH REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL

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