ICA9 Report: Antiviral Update

ICA9 Report: Antiviral Update

Being Alive Newsletter, Being Alive/Los Angeles - July 1993
Mark Katz, MD and reported by Jim Stoecker

There were reports this year on the development of liposomal AZT. This is a new way of administering the drug; the antiviral is given coated with fat. This prevents the AZT from quickly dissolving in the blood stream and helps target the drug more effectively. With this approach, you can deliver higher concentrations in the cells where you want it and prevent toxicities to other cells. Liposomal AZT is now in Phase I studies.

3TC is yet another nucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor (like AZT, ddI, ddC and d4T). Dutch and American researchers reported on Phase I/II dose escalation studies. The Dutch reported no serious side effects, except for diarrhea in about a third of the participants. The American study reported only a transient improvement in surrogate markers. Studies continue, but the question remains: do we really need another nucleoside RT inhibitor?

One non-nucleoside RT inhibitor in development in Nevirapine. Early studies showed resistance developing in a matter of weeks. Now the dose has been escalated and some increase in CD4 has been noted in a small study group. The current thinking is that this drug may prove most useful in combination with other antivirals.
930700
BA930706

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Roxane Laboratories, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1993. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

Copyright © 1993 - Beings Alive. Permission granted for noncommercial reproduction, provided that our address and phone number are included if more than short quotations are used. Subscription lists are kept confidential. Being Alive, 621 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069, Tel - 310.289.2551; FAX - 310.289.9866; Email: BeiAlive@aol.com http://www.beingalivela.org/

This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1993. AEGIS.