17 May 2001

Contents

Conference reports

• 2nd International workshop on Clinical Pharmacology of HIV Therapy, 2-4 April, Noordwijk, The Netherlands

• First randomised trial shows clinical benefit of TDM for people using nelfinavir or indinavir containing combinations

• Clinical Pharmacology of Antiretroviral Therapy, Liverpool, UK , March 2001

Antiretrovirals

• Outcome of patients with discordant responses to HAART

• Self-reported symptoms after starting HAART help predict adherence

• DuPont applies to FDA for approval of one-tablet, once daily formulation of efavirenz

• Patient age influences CD4+ cell recovery with HAART

• Preliminary data from four studies of double PI regimen using once daily Fortovase plus “mini dose” ritonavir

Treatment access

• Drug companies withdraw HIV drug lawsuit against South Africa

• Ethiopia to import AIDS drugs for first time

• AIDS care for Africa affordable

• Tony Blair sides with drug giants

Women's health

• HAART lowers CIN recurrence risk in HIV-positive women

Paediatric care

• Antiretroviral therapy improves measles vaccination response in HIV-infected children

Coinfections and complications

• Cancer risk increased with AIDS

Cancer and HIV

• HIV status predicts anal dysphasia and carcinoma risk in HPV-infected individuals

• Anal neoplasia grade linked with genetic changes

Hepatitis coinfection

• HIV/HCV coinfection: amid swirling controversy the profile of a killer emerges

• French study finds low death rate due to hepatitis C virus in HIV-positive patients

TB coinfection

• Fatal and severe hepatitis associated with rifampin and pyrazinamide for the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection

Drug resistance

• Drug resistant HIV spreading in UK

Other news

• Company lobbyist joins Oxfam campaign for cheaper HIV drugs

• John Le Carre describes drug industry’s ‘crimes of unbridled capitalism’ in Nation column

• College students protest university patents on AIDS drugs

• IAPAC to launch HIV training, certification program for developing world physicians

• South African panel recognizes HIV as cause of AIDS