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In a recently published study, researchers have found that the presence of certain genetic factors may identify patients who are at high risk for discontinuing anti-HIV therapy due to side effects.

In particular, the study found that people with certain genetic risk factors indicating they may be prone to side effects were more likely to discontinue treatment with Sustiva (efavirenz) or Reyataz (atazanavir).

The researchers suggested that additional research should focus on finding new genetic markers that could affect people taking antiretroviral drugs. They also noted that their findings are…

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A review based on several clinical trials has found that most recommended treatments for HIV-associated sensory neuropathy are not effective. Only three pain relievers have demonstrated efficacy against HIV-associated sensory neuropathy: high-dose topical capsaicin, smoked marijuana, and an experimental protein that helps nerves grow.

“Our study is important as it has demonstrated that many drugs which are effective in other neuropathic pain states (and frequently used to treat painful HIV-SN [HIV-associated sensory neuropathy]) have no evidence of efficacy in painful HIV-SN,” said Dr. Tudor Phillips, lead author on the study,…

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Merck Halts Clinical Trial Of Once-Daily Isentress Dosing – Merck has halted a Phase 3 clinical trial that failed to show that once-daily dosing of Isentress (raltegravir) is as effective as twice-daily dosing in treatment-naïve patients. Results of the clinical trial showed that after 48 weeks, 83 percent of study participants taking Isentress once daily achieved viral suppression (undetectable amount of virus in the blood) versus 89 percent of participants who took Isentress twice daily. As a result, Merck has decided to halt the clinical trial and switch all trial participants to twice-daily Isentress dosing. For more information, please see the Merck press release.

FDA Approves BioLytical Laboratories 60 Second HIV Test – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced yesterday that it has approved a new HIV test, called the INSTI HIV-1 Antibody Test, that can give results in 60 seconds. Previous rapid HIV tests gave results within about 10 to 20 minutes. BioLytical Laboratories, the Canadian-based manufacturer of the test, has also applied for a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment waiver from the FDA, which, if granted, would allow users to administer the test themselves at home. The INSTI Test has been available in Canada and internationally since 2006; bioLytical Laboratories filed for approval in the U.S. in June 2009. For more information, please see the press release at the bioLytical Laboratories website.

Study Indicates Switching From Sustiva To Intelence May Help Reduce Side Effects In The Central Nervous System – Results of a small study indicate that people who suffer from side effects related to the central nervous system when taking Sustiva (efavirenz) may experience fewer problems by switching to Intelence (etravirine). The study of 38 men found that after 12 weeks, men who switched to Intelence experienced fewer bouts of insomnia, abnormal dreams, and nervousness. All participants successfully maintained viral suppression. Sustiva and Intelence are both nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and both are recommended as components of an initial antiretroviral regimen for treating HIV. For more information, please see the study in the journal AIDS (abstract).

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Results of a small study indicate that vitamin D deficiencies in people with HIV who take Viread or Truvada may exacerbate problems with high parathyroid hormone levels, a side effect of the drugs that can lead to bone loss.

The researchers suggested that future studies evaluate whether taking vitamin D and calcium supplements can help alleviate high parathyroid hormone levels in people who take these antiretrovirals.

Parathyroid hormone is released by the parathyroid gland and is involved in regulating calcium and phosphorous levels in the body. Normally, parathyroid hormone is…

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New Drug Crofelemer Shows Promise In Treating Chronic HIV-Associated Diarrhea – Salix Pharmaceuticals, a North Carolina-based pharmaceutical company, has announced that its new drug crofelemer successfully completed a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate its safety and efficacy in treating chronic HIV-associated diarrhea. Results showed that crofelemer provided diarrhea relief to significantly more study participants than a placebo. Based on the results, Salix plans to meet with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration early next year about submitting a New Drug Application for crofelemer. For more information, please see the press release on the Salix Pharmaceuticals website.

University Of Liverpool Offers Free iPhone Application To Monitor HIV Drug Interactions – The University of Liverpool announced that it is offering a free iPhone or iPod Touch application, called HIV iChart, that helps people search for HIV drug interactions. The application is available for download from Apple’s online iTunes store. Once downloaded, users can provide the application with their current or proposed HIV drug regimens, as well as many other drugs prescribed to treat HIV-related conditions. The application will then provide the user with information on any potentially harmful drug interactions. Users do not need to be connected to the Internet to use the application once it is downloaded. The application is provided as part of the University’s website on drug interactions, www.hiv-druginteractions.org. For more information on HIV iChart, please see the iTunes application page.

AIDS Documentary To Be Shown Internationally On World AIDS Day – On December 1, a new documentary discussing the evolution of antiretroviral drugs in the treatment of AIDS will be shown around the world to mark World AIDS Day. Entitled “The Lazarus Effect,” this 30-minute documentary captures the effects of antiretroviral drugs on four HIV-positive patients in Africa. The documentary will be shown in the U.S. on HBO and in Britain on Channel 4. Efforts to show the documentary in other countries are underway. For more information, please visit The Lazarus Effect website.