December 2002 Cover
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Interrupting HIV treatment for an extended period and then re-initiating therapy might be safe in certain patients, according to a study by infectious disease experts.
In an observational study, 25 HIV-infected patients with viral suppression for at least six months while receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) interrupted
treatment for an average of nine months. None of the patients had HIV-related infections or illnesses during the interruption. All of the patients had increases in virus levels and drops in
infection- fighting CD4 cells. Patients with lower virus levels prior to treatment and stronger immune systems responded more favorably during the interruption. When HAART was resumed in
11 of the patients, they experienced maximal viral suppression and robust increases in CD4 cell counts.
Previous studies have examined whether treatment interruption could be used as a strategy for boosting immune response to HIV or reducing resistance to the medications.
The current study focused on the effects of stopping HAART for longer periods to minimize complications of the therapy.
"Extended treatment interruption appears safe and, after further study, may be an important HIV treatment strategy for the reduction of long-term toxicity, medication burden
and expense," said one researcher. He cautioned that if patients do interrupt therapy, they should consult their physician.
Editor's Note: from AIDS Weekly
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