Protease inhibitor shows promise with HIV patients
Protease inhibitor shows promise with HIV patients
Australian researchers report that therapy with the protease inhibitor ritonavir significantly increases CD8+ cell counts in patients with HIV. CD8+ cells are tested as an indicator of immune function. When comparing the CD8+ cell levels in HIV-positive patients who received ritonavir or other drugs such as transcriptase inhibitors, the researchers found that CD8+ levels were sustained to a much higher level than they were on the other drugs. Higher doses of the drug resulted in an even higher CD8+ effect. Although the clinical significance of the findings remains to be determined because ritonavir is a new drug, the investigators say that patients on the therapy will probably have better immune function and fewer clinical problems than patients not on the drug.
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.