Document 0701
 DOCN  M95A0701
 TI    Combination 3TC/AZT therapy shows promise. 
 DT    9510
 SO    AIDS Clin Care. 1995 Mar;7(3):22. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       AIDS/95700063
 AB    The nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor 3TC (lamivudine) appears
       to induce unusually prolonged HIV suppression when used in combination
       with AZT, according to the results of four randomized clinical trials.
       The studies showed that 3TC and AZT had similar antiviral effects when
       used alone. However, investigators observed a substantial, prolonged
       increase in CD4 counts and a significant decrease in HIV RNA when the
       drugs were administered simultaneously. These benefits persisted in all
       study groups for the 24-week study period, and in several for the
       six-month follow-up period as well. The combination was well-tolerated
       by nearly 1000 AZT-naive and AZT-experienced subjects enrolled in these
       trials, with the most common adverse effects being nausea, vomiting and
       headaches. A possible explanation for the antiviral effect is suggested
       by the mutation at HIV codon 184 that is frequently observed in virions
       exposed to 3TC for extended periods of time. In vitro studies have shown
       that this mutation confers 3TC resistance. It may also counteract other
       mutations that would normally lead to AZT resistance, therefore enabling
       virions exposed to both drugs to remain effectively susceptible to AZT.
 DE    CD4 Lymphocyte Count  Codon  Drug Resistance  Drug Therapy, Combination
       Drug Tolerance  HIV Infections/*DRUG THERAPY  Human  Mutation
       Zalcitabine/ANALOGS & DERIVATIVES/ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE/  *THERAPEUTIC
       USE  Zidovudine/ADMINISTRATION & DOSAGE/*THERAPEUTIC USE  NEWSLETTER
       ARTICLE

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