title: Combinational therapies for HIV: a focus on EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The co-formulation of elvitegravir/cobicistat/emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF) is a new, investigational, once-daily (q.d.) drug, currently undergoing Phase II and III clinical trials. Next to the nucleotide/nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors FTC and TDF, it contains EVG, the second member of the HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor class, together with its pharmacokinetic booster COBI.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this article, the authors review EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF, in addition to discussing the single-tablet regimens (STRs) containing EFV/FTC/TDF or RPV/FTC/TDF, and the investigational combination pill containing dolutegravir, lamivudine and abacavir (DTG/3TC/ABC, 572-Trii pill). A Medline review was conducted of Phase II and III trials, as well as a review of abstracts from major HIV and infectious disease conferences from 2010 to 2012, involving EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Next to the combination of EFV/FTC/TDF or RPV/FTC/TDF, the co-formulation of EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF offers a new, q.d., single-tablet alternative in treatment-naïve HIV patients. EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF combines a high efficacy with a good tolerability profile. The effect on the renal function and virologic failure with the development of resistance to two or more compounds present in EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF, requires further monitoring. STRs certainly bring the standard for HIV treatment and drug development to a higher level.
authors: Division of Molecular Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Flanders, Belgium.
authors: Rik
authors: R
authors: Schrijvers
authors: Zeger
authors: Z
authors: Debyser
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002219:Carbamates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D000069547:Cobicistat; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004338:Drug Combinations; D024921:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Viral; D000068679:Emtricitabine; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015363:Quinolones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000068698:Tenofovir; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D002219:Carbamates; D004338:Drug Combinations; D063065:Organophosphonates; D015363:Quinolones; D013844:Thiazoles; D003841:Deoxycytidine; C509700:elvitegravir; D000068698:Tenofovir; D000068679:Emtricitabine; D000225:Adenine; D000069547:Cobicistat