HIV Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about HIV, including details on human immunodeficiency virus, testing, treatment, prevention, vaccines, aids.

Raltegravir: an integrase inhibitor for HIV-1.

Evering TH, Markowitz M

The Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center/Rockefeller University, 455 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.

BACKGROUND: The need to develop antiretroviral agents with novel mechanisms of action persists for the treatment of both antiretroviral- experienced and antiretroviral-naive patients with HIV/AIDS. This is mandated, in part, by the perpetual advent of antiretroviral-resistant HIV-1 strains. Raltegravir has been shown to specifically inhibit the essential, HIV-1-encoded, integrase enzyme. As a result, this agent represents a promising chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. OBJECTIVE: To form an evidence-based determination of the clinical efficacy, pharmacokinetics and safety profile of raltegravir. METHOD: We discuss available peer-reviewed publications, preliminary data presented in abstract from relevant scientific meetings and data available from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Current evidence strongly supports raltegravir use in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens constructed to treat patients failing current therapies with multi-drug-resistant HIV-1. Additional data are needed to determine its role in the treatment of less advanced patients. Issue surrounding long-term adverse effects and genetic barriers to raltegravir resistance will be critical in determining the potential of this agent.

Published 6 March 2008 in Expert Opin Investig Drugs, 17(3): 413-22.
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