Question

Will Fuzeon (T-20) increase my CD4 if I add it to my combination?

7 January 2011. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Changing treatment, Opportunistic infections, Starting treatment.

Hello,

I live in the UK and was diagnosed HIV over 3 years ago with a CD4 count of 4 and Viral Load of 50,000

I was immediately placed on Sustiva (efavirenz) and Kivexa (abacavir/lamivudine) as first line HIV treatment.

My recent CD4 count in December 2010 was 197, CD4 percentage 28% and viral load less than 40 copies.

I was wondering since my CD4 count has never gone above 200, could I possibly temporarily introduce Fuzeon (T-20) into my regime along with the Sustiva/Kivexa, as I’ve read in drug trials T-20 can increase the CD4 count dramatically, as it works differently to standard HAART therapy.

As I would not meet the NHS criteria for this drug (ie. no resistant strains/previous problems with HAART) I would be willing to finance this drug myself which I understand is approx £1,100 per month for 30days (twice daily injection).

Would a temporary 2 months on Fuzeon have any effect and increase my CD4 count into safe levels ie. over 350 and would any increase be long term, or would T-20 need to be of permanent use to maintain a high CD4 count?

Thank you and I apologise for this being a lengthy and detailed question.

Jake

Answer

Answer: Charlotte Walker

Hi Jake,

Thank you for your question.

Your CD4 count has climbed considerably in the last 3 years and you should be really pleased. A CD4 count of around 200 is very good and is nothing to worry about.

The research on T-20 would not support using it in your situation, irrespective of cost. It is also a difficult drug to take. If you consider the cost involved and the difficulty taking the drug and compare it to the minimal (if any) benefit you could get then it is not worth taking it unless you need T-20 as a life-saving drug when other combinations are not working for you.

I understand that you are worried about your CD4 count but once you are on treatment the most important thing is that your viral load remains undetectable. Many people live healthy lives with low CD4 counts because they started treatment when their CD4 count was very low. Your CD4% is good. It could still be that your CD4 count will slowly increase on its own providing you are leading a healthy lifestyle and are not getting too stressed.