[Entry inhibitors: enfuvirtide, a reality for antiretroviral therapy].
Entry inhibitors make up a new class of antiretroviral agents that block HIV entry into body cells. The recent approval of the fusion inhibitor T-20 or enfuvirtide by both FDA and the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products (EMEA) is a first step in the expansion of a therapeutic armamentarium that is expected to increase in at least half a dozen new drugs in oncoming years. T-20 is indicated for the treatment of HIV-1 infection--in combination with other antiretroviral drugs--in patients who are resistant to both protease and reverse transcriptase inhibitors. In phase III studies, T-20 has demonstrated adequate efficacy and safety at 24 weeks after treatment, but long-term effects remain to be established. Until it finally becomes available in Spain, the compassionate use-related Early Access to T-20 Program allows it to be employed in our country for patients who meet criteria specified in the manufacturers users guide.
Pérez Plasencia
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Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital Universitari Josep Trueta, Girona. farmacia@htrueta.scs.es
Martínez Sánchez
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D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D000077560:Enfuvirtide; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023581:HIV Fusion Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*
D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41; D023581:HIV Fusion Inhibitors; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000077560:Enfuvirtide