Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
|
|
Wall Street Journal - August 18, 2006
Marilyn Chase
While far from conclusive, the studies, presented at the big AIDS meeting here, offered an early look at the potential for two new drug families known as CCR5 blockers and integrase inhibitors. Merck & Co.'s experimental integrase inhibitor MK-0518 elicited the warmest response from scientists and activists, while delegates here pored over early CCR5 data to balance signs of potential risk and benefit.
In one study, 118 patients taking Schering-Plough Corp.'s vicriviroc in a cocktail experienced more "durable drops" in virus levels in their blood, along with rises in CD4 immune cells, than did a placebo group during 24 weeks of treatment.
However, five of the 90 patients on a vicriviroc drug cocktail developed cancers during the study, compared with two of 28 patients on the placebo cocktail, leaving uncertainty about links to malignancy.
Another concern about CCR5 blockers is that they only block one type of AIDS virus -- dubbed R5 virus -- seen early in the course of HIV infection. They don't block a more aggressive type -- called X4 virus -- that arises and runs rampant in full-blown AIDS. Some researchers worry that CCR5 drugs might wipe out the early tamer viruses, creating a vacuum in which the virulent X4 viruses could flourish. Emergence of new X4 viruses occurred somewhat more often in patients taking vicriviroc plus a standard AIDS drug cocktail than in patients taking a placebo plus a cocktail.
In a 186-patient study of Pfizer Inc.'s new CCR5 blocker drug, given to patients who already had both kinds of virus circulating in their bodies, the drug, called maraviroc, didn't trigger any huge upsurge of X4 viruses. But maraviroc plus a standard drug cocktail didn't prove any better than a placebo plus cocktail in the important test of whether it suppressed the virus in the 24-week study.
Merck yesterday announced a world-wide expanded-access program to furnish MK-0518 free to advanced HIV patients needing to switch to the experimental drug.
While Anthony Fauci, a top National Institutes of Health official, counseled caution in interpreting such short studies, AIDS activist Mark Harrington called integrase inhibitors, potentially "the most exciting new treatment class since the protease inhibitors revolutionized HIV treatment 10 years ago."
Write to Marilyn Chase at marilyn.chase@wsj.com
060818
WJ060811
Copyright © 2006 - The Wall Street Journal. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the WSJ Permissions Desk.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2006. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2006. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .