Paradoxical CD4+ T-cell decline in HIV-infected patients with complete virus suppression taking tenofovir and didanosine.
BACKGROUND
Tenofovir (TDF) and didanosine (ddI) are both adenosine analogues with convenient posology, strong potency and a relatively high genetic barrier for resistance. The popularity of this combination, however, has been questioned due to concerns about pharmacokinetic interactions and increased risk of pancreatitis and hyperglycemia. Less information is available about other possible side effects.


METHODS
HIV-infected individuals who initiated a protease inhibitor-sparing regimen between September 2002 and June 2003 at five hospitals, and had at least one subsequent visit within the next 12 months, always with complete virus suppression, were retrospectively assessed. Only drug-naive individuals and patients who simplified a prior successful antiretroviral regimen were analysed.


RESULTS
Outcomes were analysed in 570 individuals according to treatment modality (98 drug-naive versus 472 simplified); the nucleoside analogue (NA) backbone (298 with TDF + ddI, 88 with ddI, 44 with TDF, and 140 with neither ddI nor TDF); and the third agent used (378 with non-nucleoside analogues versus 192 with NA). Significant CD4+ T-cell declines were seen in patients taking ddI + TDF with respect to all other NA combinations, including ddI or TDF separately. Patients exposed to high ddI doses or taking a third NA showed more pronounced CD4 declines. Plasma levels of ddI correlated with the extent of CD4+ T-cell loss.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients receiving ddI + TDF-based combinations show CD4+ T-cell declines despite achieving complete virus suppression. This effect generally progresses with time. An imbalance in adenosine metabolites within CD4+ T lymphocytes may explain this phenomenon, which resembles the genetic purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency syndrome.
Barrios
Ana
A
Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Rendón
Ana
A
Negredo
Eugenia
E
Barreiro
Pablo
P
Garcia-Benayas
Teresa
T
Labarga
Pablo
P
Santos
Jesús
J
Domingo
Pere
P
Sánchez-Conde
Matilde
M
Maida
Ivana
I
Martín-Carbonero
Luz
L
Núñez
Marina
M
Blanco
Francisco
F
Clotet
Bonaventura
B
Sambeat
Maria Antonia
MA
Gil
Paloma
P
Gonzalez-Lahoz
Juan
J
Cooper
David
D
Soriano
Vincent
V
D000225:Adenine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D016049:Didanosine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068698:Tenofovir; D014779:Virus Replication
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D063065:Organophosphonates; D000068698:Tenofovir; D000225:Adenine; D016049:Didanosine