Evaluation of a 6-Year Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Chinese HIV-1-Infected Patients

Objective: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and tolerability of nevirapine (NVP)-based regimens in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected Chinese patients in routine clinical practice. Methods: From October 2002 to May 2004, 57 HIV-1-infected patients commenced antiretroviral therapy (ART), and were followed up to December 2008. These antiretroviral-naive patients, who originally received two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and NVP, had HIV RNA levels, T lymphocyte subsets and safety parameters assessed over 6 years. Results: Of the 57 patients, 34 patients participated in the long-term follow-up. After 5-6 years, >60% of the patients had HIV RNA levels <50 copies/mu l, and the median increase in CD4 cell counts from baseline was 329 cells/mu l. gamma-Glutamyl transferase increased in 17 patients (29.8%); serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were elevated in 15 patients (26.3%), and 25.0% (6/24) of the patients developed lipodystrophy (mainly females). Grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in 3 cases. Conclusion: ART with NVP-based regimens suppressed HIV viremia and produced continued CD4 cell increases in a majority of subjects for 6 years. Safety and tolerance were good with no unexpected long-term toxicity. Though based on a small group, this study demonstrates durable effects of ART in Chinese patients. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel