Amprenavir (141W94) for HIV-1 Infection Treatment in Patients with Prior Treatment Failure or Intolerance

Earlier Phase II/III clinical trials indicate APV is effective in retarding HIV progression in the body. Despite these data, however, the drug has yet to receive regulatory approval. At the same time, there is an urgent need to grant pre-approval access to specific groups of patients eager to benefit from the anti-HIV potential inherent in APV. This study examines the relative effects APV has in patients with prior treatment failure or intolerance to previous protease inhibitor therapy. Patients are seen in the clinic at pre-entry, baseline (Day 1), and every 4 weeks thereafter. Data on current antiretroviral treatment, HIV-1 associated conditions and adverse events are collected at every scheduled visit. Laboratory values (i.e., hematology, serum chemistry, plasma HIV-1 viral load and CD4+ cell count) are collected and assessed at pre-entry and Weeks 12, 24, 36, and 48. Optimal therapeutic effectiveness dictates the combined use of 2 or more antiretroviral agents in patients failing current antiretroviral therapy. APV, therefore, must be initiated as a component of a treatment regimen that also includes at least one other antiretroviral drug that the patient has not previously received.