Longitudinal analysis of responses to oral didanosine therapy following zidovudine therapy in advanced infection with human immunodeficiency virus.
The effect on immunologic and virological parameters of up to 24 weeks of therapy with didanosine at daily oral doses of < or = 12.5 mg/(kg.d) was studied retrospectively in 69 patients with advanced disease due to human immunodeficiency virus--i.e., AIDS or advanced AIDS-related complex--who had previously been treated with zidovudine. Patients entered the study with a low CD4 cell count (median, 39/microL) and with evidence of an ongoing depression of bone marrow function. Didanosine therapy was associated with a significant increase in CD4 counts and a prolonged decrease in serum levels of p24 antigen relative to baseline. These changes were more pronounced in the population with baseline CD4 counts of > or = 100/microL. A beneficial effect of didanosine therapy on hematologic parameters was observed in these patients, with increases during therapy of hemoglobin levels as well as white blood cell, granulocyte, and platelet counts. These responses were maximal at weeks 16-20. Further investigations are needed to establish the clinical correlates of these observations.
McLaren
C
C
Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Wallingford, Connecticut 06492-7660.
Rozencweig
M
M
Beltangady
M
M
Nicaise
C
C
Yarchoan
R
R
Dolin
R
R
Allan
J D
JD
Cooley
T P
TP
Seidlin
M
M
Smaldone
L F
LF
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D016049:Didanosine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D006454:Hemoglobins; D015215:Zidovudine; D016049:Didanosine