title: An immunological comparison of third companion in advanced drug-naive HIV-infected patients.
abstract: An immunological comparison of three different third companions (abacavir [ABC], efavirenz [EFV], ritonavir-boosted indinavir [IDVr]) on a backbone of either zidovudine plus didanosine (AZT/ddI) or zidovudine plus lamivudine (AZT/3TC) was performed in 76 HIV-infected, advanced-naive patients. Baseline median CD4 count and viremia were 217/microL and 238,301 copies/mL, respectively. Immunologic parameters were measured at baseline and after months of therapy. By the end of the study, 36 patients (mostly in the protease inhibitor [PI]-containing arms) had dropped out of the study; 22/36 cases of drop out were due to tolerability issues. All regimens resulted in increases in CD4 counts, with the most solid changes seen in patients using ABC as a third companion. Median HIV plasma viremia at month 12 was <50 copies/mL, and viremia was undetectable in 26/38 patients (68%). At the end of the study period, HIV antigen- and mitogen-stimulated proliferation overall was better in patients using either of the PI-boosted third companions. In these patients, the strongest down-modulation of activation marker-bearing cells was also observed. Finally, CD8+/28-/CD45RA+ lymphocytes (effector cells) were increased in all groups of patients with the exception of individuals receiving PI-boosted therapies. Results of this pilot study, although very preliminary, suggest that different combinations of antivirals result in a range of effects on immune cell functions. The clinical implications of these results need to be further analyzed in follow-up studies and in larger cohorts of patients.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Clinic, Ospedale Luigi Sacco, Milano.
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rizzardini
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trabattoni
authors.forename: Amedeo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capetti
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Castelletti
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Migliorino
authors.forename: Ruggero
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Panebianco
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pacei
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Quirino
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clerici
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000480:Alkynes; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048588:Benzoxazines; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D015224:Dideoxynucleosides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019469:Indinavir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007558:Italy; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D008297:Male; D010078:Oxazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019438:Ritonavir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000099227:Abacavir
chemical_list: D000480:Alkynes; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D048588:Benzoxazines; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D015224:Dideoxynucleosides; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors; D019469:Indinavir; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D010078:Oxazines; D019438:Ritonavir; D000099227:Abacavir; C098320:efavirenz