Stavudine plus lamivudine in advanced human immunodeficiency virus disease: a short-term pilot study.
The short-term effects of stavudine (d4T) plus lamivudine (3TC) were evaluated among 48 human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients for whom zidovudine therapy had failed or who could not tolerate zidovudine. Patients were followed for 8 weeks after initiation of open-label d4T plus 3TC. Four patients discontinued therapy, because of neutropenia (1), hepatitis (1), or neuropathy (2). Reduction in virus load was -0.86 (+0.3 to -3.4) log10 copies/mL and CD4 cell increase was 30 (-100 to +290) cells/mm3. Virologic response was associated with a higher CD4 cell count, no prior exposure to d4T and 3TC, and no previous AIDS-defining illness. Virus load reduction for patients naive to 3TC and d4T was -1.47 (-0.14 to -3.37) log10 copies/mL. Short-term use of d4T plus 3TC is safe, well-tolerated, and associated with virologic and substantial immunologic benefits. Further evaluation of d4T and 3TC in combination is warranted.
Rouleau
D
D
British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, and Canadian HIV Trials Network, St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Conway
B
B
Raboud
J
J
Rae
S
S
Fransen
S
S
Shillington
A
A
Zala
C
C
O'Shaughnessy
M V
MV
Montaner
J S
JS
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018119:Stavudine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D019259:Lamivudine; D018119:Stavudine