title: Treatment interruptions in HIV-infected subjects.
abstract: Despite a high antiviral efficacy, the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in clinical practice is often impaired by the long-term toxicity of antiretroviral treatment, the increased rate of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) drug resistance in treated patients and the cost of therapies, so that possible interruption of HAART has to be considered as part of the current clinical practice. However, this strategy is usually followed by a rapid viral rebound with a substantial loss of CD4 T lymphocytes because the HIV suppression with HAART does not result in reconstitution of the HIV-specific immune response. Structured treatment interruption (STI) has already been investigated in HIV-infected subjects with well-controlled viral replication (initiating treatment during primary or chronic HIV infection) and in those with multiple treatment failures. A clear benefit of STI in patients with chronic infection remains controversial and these benefits are more often observed in patients starting treatment during primary HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bongiovanni
authors.forename: Maddalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casana
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tincati
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: d'Arminio Monforte
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D024921:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Viral / Q000187:drug effects; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents