Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. My doctor wants me to consider going on a trial of Integrase (I believe monotherapy).
My concerns are that:
Isn't monotherapy dangerous and/or unethical? I have read that the gold standard of treatment is combination therapy with usually a protease inhibitor.
Shouldn't someone like myself seek a proven HIV regimen with already approved drugs instead of being a guinea pig in an experimental trial, and reserve those kinds of experimental regimens in case I fail in the future on a regimen(s)?
Isn't the reason for starting a regimen early to preserve and protect the immune system I already have before more damage can be done?
Your feedback is MOST appreciated.
Marty Markowitz, M. D.
Clinical Director
Staff Investigator, Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center
Associate Professor, Rockefeller University
A brief period of monotherapy is unlikely to be a problem with this new class of drug...given what is known about resistance...the trial is 2-step...short course of monotherapy to assess dose levels...then 3-drug HAART...
It is a safe, well written trial....but remember you do not have to participate in research...you can elect "care".
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