Moreover, due to a different mechanism of action, resistance to Hydrea does not occur. Whereas, most other anti-HIV drugs target activated, not resting, lymphocytes. HIV viral loads are usually driven to an undetectable level, while CD4 cell counts increase, although not as much as with standard triple combination therapies. And, the CD4 cell percentage is as good a CD4 cell marker as the absolute count that is normally used to measure one's immune status. Dr. Lori reviewed HIV patient experience with Hydrea, with over 500 patients to date, including four randomized, controlled trials.
Some trials have one year of follow-up.
He described that the most commonly perceived toxicity concern of physicians, bone marrow suppression, is actually quite mild when used at the standard dose of 500 mg twice daily. However, many will have mild decreases in blood cell counts without symptoms that do not require drug discontinuation. The man continues to have an undetectable HIV viral load, even after his therapy was stopped for over 1 year. Fully understanding the mechanisms involved in these four patients and the three monkeys will lead to insights that would improve our ability to develop additional anti-HIV therapies and a vaccine. Two interesting presentations regarding the use of Hydrea plus Videx in Africa were also described.