title: Hybrid optimal control for HIV multi-drug therapies: a finite set control transcription approach.
abstract: In this study, the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is investigated through an optimal structured treatment interruption (STI) schedule of two classes of antiretroviral drugs, mainly, reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors. An STI treatment strategy may be beneficial in lowering the risk of HIV mutating to drug-resistant strains, and could provide patients with respite from toxic side effects of HAART. A shorter treatment period is considered compared to previous studies and the solution to the HIV STI problem is obtained via the Finite Set Control Transcription (FSCT) formulation. The FSCT formulation offers a unique approach for handling multiple independent decision variables simultaneously, and, as is shown by the results of this study, is well-suited for an effective treatment of the optimal STI problem. The results obtained in the present investigation demonstrate that immune boosting and subsequent natural suppression of the viral load are possible even when a reduced STI therapy treatment duration is in consideration.
authors: Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA. divya.thakur@utexas.edu
authors: Divya
authors: D
authors: Thakur
authors: Belinda
authors: B
authors: Marchand
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004360:Drug Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors