TreatmentUpdate 67, Volume 8, No 3; April 1996
Sean Hosein
In an attempt to maintain anti-HIV activity in the face of drug resistant virus, researchers are testing a number of 2 or 3-drug combinations. Results from these experiments may be used as guides for later testing in HIV-infected subjects.
Results - 2 drugs
One research team in the US has been experimenting with 3TC and d4T. They found that a combination of 3TC with one of the following drugs showed increased anti-HIV activity when compared with any of these drugs used alone:
* 3TC
* ddI
Similar results were obtained when d4T was tested with:
* 3TC
* ddI
* nevirapine
* saquinavir
The combination of d4T and AZT had reduced anti-HIV activity compared with either drug used alone.
Results - 3 drugs
Combinations of the following drugs also reduced production of HIV in lab experiments:
* 3TC, saquinavir and nevirapine
* 3TC, AZT and d4T
* 3TC, AZT and nevirapine
* 3TC, AZT and saquinavir
* d4T, AZT and nevirapine
When d4T and AZT are used as part of a triple drug combination in these lab experiments, they apparently have increased anti-HIV activity compared to when used as a 2 drug combination. A clinical trial is underway in the US to see what effect a combination of those 2 drugs may have in people with HIV/AIDS.
REFERENCES:
1. Merrill P, Moonis M, Chou T-C and Hirsch MS. Lamivudine or stavudine in two-and three-combinations against Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 replication in vitro. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1996;173:355-364.
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