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Integrase is essential for HIV replication. Two drugs that inhibit this enzyme, raltegravir and elvitegravir, are in advanced stages of clinical development. Raltegravir has shown potent antiviral activity in short-term studies among treatment-experienced and treatment-naive patients. Now, in a manufacturer-sponsored, phase II trial, researchers have investigated the drug’s safety and efficacy.
A total of 179 patients infected with HIV resistant to at least one nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor, one nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor, and one protease inhibitor were randomized to receive placebo or one of three doses of raltegravir, each with an optimized combination of other antiretroviral drugs. The patients were highly…