Major Protease Inhibitor Triple Combination Trial Begins Soon: CD4 Under 200, AZT Experienced, 3TC Naive

A major trial in cities throughout the U.S. will compare triple combination therapy with the Merck protease inhibitor (indinavir, brand name Crixivan(TM)) plus AZT plus 3TC (lamivudine, brand name Epivir(TM)), vs. the double combination of AZT plus 3TC. The trial may open in January and will last about one year.

Some patients who meet all the major entry conditions -- CD4 count under 200, must have used AZT for at least six months and be able to tolerate the drug, and must NOT have used 3TC, at least not for more than a week -- might look into this trial before starting 3TC (which was recently approved by the FDA for use in combination with AZT). Everyone in the trial will get at least AZT plus 3TC, and some will get the protease inhibitor in addition.

The new trial, called ACTG 320, will be run by the ACTG (AIDS Clinical Trials Group), the major Federal clinical trials network, with financial support from Merck.