Efficacy and safety of maraviroc versus efavirenz, both with zidovudine/lamivudine: 96-week results from the MERIT study.
BACKGROUND
The MERIT study evaluated maraviroc versus efavirenz, both with zidovudine/lamivudine, in treatment-naïve patients with CCR5-tropic (R5) HIV-1. Post hoc analyses previously assessed week 48 outcomes in patients rescreened with R5 virus by a more sensitive tropism assay.


METHODS
Week 96 efficacy (post hoc, n = 614) and safety (n = 721) were assessed.


RESULTS
Proportions of subjects <50 copies/mL (58.8% maraviroc, 62.7% efavirenz) and time to loss of virologic response (TLOVR) responders (<50 copies/mL: 60.5% vs 60.7%) were similar. Maraviroc recipients had greater CD4 increases (+ 212 vs + 171 cells/mm(3)) and fewer adverse event discontinuations (6.1% vs 15.5%), malignancies, and category C events.


CONCLUSIONS
Week 96 data confirm week 48 observations in MERIT.
Sierra-Madero
Juan
J
Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, CIFBIOTEC Medica Sur, Tlalpan, Mexico.
Di Perri
Giovanni
G
Wood
Robin
R
Saag
Michael
M
Frank
Ian
I
Craig
Charles
C
Burnside
Robert
R
McCracken
Jennifer
J
Pontani
Dennis
D
Goodrich
James
J
Heera
Jayvant
J
Mayer
Howard
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000480:Alkynes; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048588:Benzoxazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065100:CCR5 Receptor Antagonists; D003510:Cyclohexanes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D023581:HIV Fusion Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D000077592:Maraviroc; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014230:Triazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000480:Alkynes; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D048588:Benzoxazines; D065100:CCR5 Receptor Antagonists; D003510:Cyclohexanes; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D023581:HIV Fusion Inhibitors; D014230:Triazoles; D019259:Lamivudine; D015215:Zidovudine; C098320:efavirenz; D000077592:Maraviroc