How to prolong the effects of combination therapy for HIV.
Infection with HIV leads to AIDS and death in about 90% of patients within ten years. The first generation of anti-HIV drugs inhibited the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase (RT); but long-term studies have revealed side-effects and a high rate of emergence of drug-resistant HIV mutants. The more recent combination of two anti-RT drugs and a protease inhibitor appears to be more promising: approximately 75% of AIDS patients benefit. However, increasing numbers of treatment failures from toxicity and drug-resistant mutants are emerging. Passive immunotherapy (PIT) is a non-toxic form of treatment based on the neutralization of HIV with antibody-rich plasma from healthy HIV-positive individuals. Studies show it can benefit AIDS patients. Here, we suggest that, in combination with anti-HIV drugs, PIT could reduce some of the toxicity of the latter and limit the emergence of drug-resistant HIV strains. In addition, regular plasma donation seems to be beneficial to the donors.
Dept of Haematology, Cambridge University, MRC Centre, Cambridge, UK.
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Karpas
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Ash
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Bainbridge
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D010956:Plasmapheresis
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents