AEGiS-GMHC: TREATMENT BRIEFS: Foscarnet Recommend for CMV Retinitis

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

TREATMENT BRIEFS: Foscarnet Recommend for CMV Retinitis

Gay Men's Health Crisis Treatment Issues, Vol. 5, No. 9, December 1991

A preliminary report revealed the first trial results comparing newly-approved foscarnet (brand name Foscavir) to the standard therapy drug ganciclovir (Cytovene). Both drugs are used to treat initial cases af CMV retinitis, an eye disease which can lead to blindness. Recently trials comparing the two drugs were suspended because patients treated with foscarnet, which costs $30,000 per year, lived an average of 4 months longer than those treated with ganciclovir (12 months vs. 8 months). Both drugs, however, seem equally effective in halting the progression of CMV retinitis and preserving vision.

The results of this study have not been published, although a paper has been submitted to a major medical journal and awaits peer review. However, two significant features of the data should be noted: (1) It is unclear what causes foscarnet to improve survival rates. It may be that the drug has anti-HIV activity or that more patients taking Foscavir in this study were also taking AZT. Data from the study, however, were not statistically significant enough to offer a solid explanation of the results. And (2) a subgroup of patients with abnormal kidney function had better survival with ganciclovir, which may be because foscarnet is known to cause kidney damage.

Copyright (c) 1991 - Gay Men's Health Crisis. Non-commercial reproduction encouraged. Distributed by AEGIS, your online gateway to a world of people, knowledge, and resources. Direct Dial: v.34+: 714.248.2836; v.120/ISDN: 714.248.0433 Internet: telnet:aegis.com www: www.aegis.com

9112
GM050906

Copyright © 1991 - Treatment Issues. Reproduced with permission. Treatment Issues is published twelve times yearly by GMHC, Inc. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reproduction is encouraged. Subscription lists are kept confidential. GMHC Treatment Issues, The Tisch Building, 119 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10011 fredg@gmhc.org http://www.gmhc.org

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, iMetrikus, Inc., John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. 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, 2003. 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. .