title: Switch from a ZDV/3TC-based regimen to a completely once daily (QD) regimen of emtricitabine/tenofovir DF fixed dose combination plus a third QD agent (SONETT).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy and safety of a treatment switch from a twice-daily (BID) regimen containing zidovudine (ZDV) and lamivudine (3TC) plus a third agent to a once daily (QD) regimen containing the fixed-dose combination of tenofovir DF/emtri?citabine (TDF/FTC, Truvada) plus a divergent third QD agent in HIV-1 infected patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, 48-week, non-randomised, single-group, open-label, study. Fifty-one patients on stable ZDV/3TC-containing HAART, with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/ml and CD4+ T-cell count >50 cells/microl, were switched to TDF/FTC plus a third agent. Plasma HIV-1 RNA, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell counts were assessed at baseline and weeks 4, 12, 24, 36 and 48 post-switch.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the 48-week study, 10 patients discontinued prematurely, including three due to adverse events (AEs). At week 48, plasma HIV-1 RNA was <50 copies/ml in 40 patients (78.4%). No patient experienced virological failure (defined as HIV-1 RNA > or =50 copies/ml at two consecutive post-baseline measurements) during the study. Immunologic control was maintained, with no significant changes in CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell counts. A statistically significant improvement from baseline in haemoglobin level was observed at week 48 (median change 0.8 g/dl; p<0.001). There was also a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol concentration at week 48 (-26.0 mg/dl; p = 0.001) in a subset of patients (n = 22) entering the study with elevated total cholesterol. Treatment was well tolerated and no treatment-related grade 3 or 4 AEs were seen. -
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from this study support switching from a ZDV/3TC-containing HAART regimen to a completely QD regimen of TDF/FTC plus a third agent. Virologic and immunologic control are maintained, with apparent benefits in haemoglobin.
authors.affiliation: Epimed, Berlin, Germany. keikawus.arasteh@vivantes.de
authors.forename: Keikawus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Arasteh
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weitner
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fenske
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kuhlmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freiwald
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ebrahimi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ranneberg
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mertenskoetter
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000068679:Emtricitabine; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000068698:Tenofovir; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006454:Hemoglobins; D063065:Organophosphonates; D012367:RNA, Viral; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D019259:Lamivudine; D015215:Zidovudine; D000068698:Tenofovir; D000068679:Emtricitabine; D000225:Adenine