AZT plus 3TC Combination Results Published

Results of a double-blind study comparing AZT plus 3TC (also called lamivudine, or Epivir(TM) vs. either drug alone, in 366 patients with CD4 between 200 and 500 who had previously taken little or no AZT, were formally published December 21 in THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE.(1) The combination clearly showed better and more lasting results than either drug alone in CD4 improvement and in decrease of viral load, throughout the one year of the study.

These results are not new, as they were presented at conferences a year ago. But formal publication is still important, because the results are more thoroughly checked and more completely described than at the early oral presentations.

Another paper in the same issue of the journal reported findings from a 32-patient study that 3TC was also effective against hepatitis B.

References

1. Eron JJ, Benoit SL, Jemsek J, and others. Treatment with lamivudine, zidovudine, or both in HIV-positive patients with 200 to 500 CD4+ cells per cubic millimeter. THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE. December 21, 1995; volume 333, number 25, pages 1662-1705.