title: Initial therapy for human immunodeficiency virus: broadening the options.
abstract: The goal of investigation into new therapeutic options for HIV/AIDS is to further the achievements of highly active antiretroviral therapy by developing new drugs with improved efficacy. Although several therapies are currently available for initial therapy in HIV-infected patients, ongoing research focuses on additions to existing and novel drug classes that might have improved pharmacokinetic and tolerability profiles, as well as on new therapeutic combinations that might result in synergistic activity. To retain activity against resistant strains, novel drugs need to target the numerous critical points in the life cycle of HIV, inhibiting different enzyme subsites than those affected by antiretroviral agents currently in use. An improvement in patient adherence to therapy is another key objective of efforts in HIV treatment, as suboptimal drug levels are a main determinant of antiretroviral regimen failure. This article reviews the current classes of antiretroviral agents in development, describing the clinical data obtained to date. These agents may have potential use as initial therapy in HIV patients.
authors.affiliation: North Broward Hospital District Comprehensive Care Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311, USA. msension@nbhd.org
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sension
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069446:Atazanavir Sulfate; D002219:Carbamates; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068679:Emtricitabine; D005663:Furans; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010755:Organophosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011753:Pyrones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D002219:Carbamates; D005663:Furans; D007376:Interleukin-2; D009842:Oligopeptides; D010755:Organophosphates; D011725:Pyridines; D011753:Pyrones; D013449:Sulfonamides; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000069446:Atazanavir Sulfate; D000068679:Emtricitabine; C426859:fosamprenavir; C107201:tipranavir