title: Effect of therapeutic drug monitoring on outcome in antiretroviral experienced HIV-infected individuals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in the routine management of HIV-infected individuals is still unclear, largely due to a lack of basic data regarding specific drug concentrations and how they correlate with maximal effect and minimal toxicity within given populations. Nevertheless, it has a potentially important role to play in the management of HIV-infected patients, with the aim of limiting toxicity, optimising antiviral effect and decreasing virological failure and emergence of viral resistance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure serum concentrations of specific antiretroviral drugs in individuals changing antiretroviral therapy and assess relationship to virological response.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, non-randomised, 24-week study of 40 antiretroviral experienced HIV-infected patients. Subjects had failed their previous antiretroviral regimen and were beginning new regimens based on genotypic testing. Serum antiretroviral concentrations and virological response was measured after initiation of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant correlation between higher concentrations of lopinavir and efavirenz and better virological outcome. This was not seen with amprenavir.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of TDM in this setting helps predict virological response to therapy. Optimal use of TDM would require dose adjustment on the basis of a TDM level. Further research is necessary to enable this practice to become routine in the management of HIV-infected patients.
authors.affiliation: National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Medical Centre, University of New South Wales, 376 Victoria Street, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia. pmallon@nchecr.unsw.edu.au
authors.forename: Patrick W G
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Mallon
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014766:Viremia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents