Adherence to trizivir and tenofovir as a simplified salvage regimen is associated with suppression of viraemia and a decreased cholesterol.

BACKGROUND Treatment failure during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is ultimately common and associated with the development of resistance mutations. Trizivir (zidovudine/lamivudine/abacavir) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate may improve adherence and enhance virological suppression in individuals who have failed previous regimens. METHODS Individuals were identified who had failed previous HAART and who were then prescribed trizivir and tenofovir. Viral load and genotypic information were obtained to assess virological response. RESULTS One hundred and twenty-two individuals were identified from a database containing 5883 patients. In a last observation carried forward intention to treat analysis, 34% of individuals achieved an undetectable viral load of <50 copies/mL at 1 year. Of those who were able to remain on treatment for 1 year, 65% achieved undetectability. We observed no effect regarding previous regimens on viral outcome. Accumulation of TAMs (thymidine analogue mutations) was associated with a decrease in the number of patients achieving an undetectable viral load (with <2 TAMs present 38% of patients developed undetectable viral loads, > or =1;2 TAMs 17% undetectable; P = 0.03). Using the mean cell volume as a measure of compliance, those with higher values were more likely to achieve a viral load <50 copies/mL (P = 0.04). A beneficial effect on cholesterol was noted regardless of virological outcome. CONCLUSIONS In compliant heavily pre-treated individuals with less than 2 TAMs, salvage therapy with trizivir and tenofovir is associated with suppression of viraemia and an improved lipid profile.