Efficacy and toxicity of antiretroviral therapy using 4 or more agents: application of a strategy for antiretroviral management in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the long-term tolerance and virologic efficacy of combination antiretroviral therapy consisting of 4 or more agents in a clinical setting.


METHODS
An observational review of 36 children infected with human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) treated with 4 or 5 antiretroviral agents in 2 university hospital clinics between April 1, 1996, and October 31, 2000. Highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens were chosen with regard to the child's past antiretroviral exposure or results of genotypic resistance data. Plasma HIV-1 RNA levels were monitored weekly to monthly after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy, and adherence efforts were actively supported and monitored.


METHODS
Number of children with undetectable plasma HIV-1 RNA levels at longest follow-up.


RESULTS
Four- or 5-drug highly active antiretroviral therapy reduced plasma HIV-1 RNA levels to less than 50 copies/mL in 32 (89%) of 36 children. After a median of 28.7 months of observation, 28 children (78%) remained at this level of suppression. Adverse reactions were limited to mild neutropenia and mild transient or persistent elevations in alanine aminotransferase levels in 11% of children.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with 4 or 5 antiretroviral agents was well tolerated in HIV-1-infected children and resulted in a high degree of viral suppression, even in children with previous antiretroviral drug experience.
Melvin
Ann J
AJ
Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, USA. amelvi@chmc.org
Lewis
Paul F
PF
Mohan
Kathleen M
KM
Naugler
W Scott
WS
Frenkel
Lisa M
LM
D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002648:Child; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012367:RNA, Viral