When to Start HIV/AIDS Treatment: Research

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Study Suggests Immune Systems of Untreated HIV-Infected Individuals May Deteriorate Faster Than Previously Thought (July 29, 2009)
From U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Delays in Starting Treatment Common in ART Programs (July 23, 2009)
Late initiation of antiretroviral treatment following diagnosis is contributing to the continuing high death rate among people who present with low CD4+ cell counts in eight sub-Saharan African countries.
From aidsmap.com
Treating HIV Earlier Could Save 76,000 Lives in South Africa (July 23, 2009)
A new study finds that initiating antiretroviral therapy when a patient's CD4+ cell count drops below 350 cells/mm³ could save 76,000 lives in South Africa alone over the next five years.
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
IAS Welcomes Trial Findings Showing Benefits of Earlier Antiretroviral Treatment (June 19, 2009)
From International AIDS Society
Questions and Answers: The CIPRA HT 001 Clinical Trial (June 8, 2009)
From U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Starting Antiretroviral Therapy Earlier Yields Better Clinical Outcomes (June 8, 2009)
Interim review leads to early end of clinical trial in Haiti.
From U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Study Shows Decreased Risk of Death From Opportunistic Infections With Earlier Antiretroviral Treatment (May 19, 2009)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Early Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy Improves HIV Survival Rates, Study Says (April 30, 2009)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Effect of Early Versus Deferred Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV on Survival (April 30, 2009)
In The New England Journal of Medicine
Should the CD4 Threshold for Starting ART Be Raised? (April 18, 2009)
In The Lancet
Timing of Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy in AIDS-Free HIV-1-Infected Patients: a Collaborative Analysis of 18 HIV Cohort Studies (April 18, 2009)
In The Lancet
Study Supporting Earlier Antiretroviral Treatment "Not Definitive," NEJM Editorial Says (April 10, 2009)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Delaying HAART Might Prevent Complete Immune System Recuperation, Study Says (April 9, 2009)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Effect of Early Versus Deferred Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV on Survival (April 9, 2009)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Study Supports Earlier Antiretroviral Treatment, Researchers Call for Amended Recommendations (April 9, 2009)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
When to Start Treatment: Leave it No Later Than 350, Major Studies Agree (April 9, 2009)
From aidsmap.com
Earlier Antiretroviral Treatment Could Reduce Risk of Death in HIV-Positive People, Study Finds (April 2, 2009)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
More Evidence Favors Early Treatment (Winter/Spring 2009)
In Bulletin of Experimental Treatments for AIDS, from San Francisco AIDS Foundation
Treating AIDS Infection Immediately Might Stall Immune Decay (February 17, 2009)
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Starting HAART Earlier Might Reduce Mortality Rates, Study Says (February 12, 2009)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Ever Upward: "When to Start" Debate Turns to CD4+ Cell Count of 500 (February 9, 2009)
Dueling studies -- one presented by Mari Kitahata, M.D., the other by Jonathan Sterne, M.D. -- offer strikingly different views on the benefits of HAART initiation at a CD4+ threshold of 500. However, both appear to solidify the wisdom of starting therapy before CD4+ cell count drops below 350.
In The 16th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, from The Body PRO
Starting Therapy Earlier Found to Improve Survival (January/February 2009)
Study raises the implications of more testing, less transmission.
To read PDF, click here
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
Starting Treatment at CD4 Above 350 May Bring Extra Immune Benefits, Study Says (January 13, 2009)
From aidsmap.com
Earlier Treatment of HIV Could Help HIV-Positive People Avoid Long-Term Complications, Recommendations Say (August 5, 2008)
A panel of the International AIDS Society-USA has issued new recommendations for when physicians should initiate HAART.
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
HIV Meds May Help Prevent Illness and Death at CD4 Counts Above 350, Study Finds (April 14, 2008)
In aidsmap.com
Starting HIV Meds Early Is Better for Your Health Than Waiting, Study Says (April 14, 2008)
In aidsmap.com
CROI: Could earlier ART Reduce Risk of Death from Non-AIDS Related Illnesses in People With HIV? (February 6, 2008)
From aidsmap.com
New HIV Treatment Guidelines in Europe Recommend Starting Meds at 350 (October 25, 2007)
In aidsmap.com
Possible Benefit to Starting Treatment at High CD4 Count, Massive Study Finds (August 24, 2007)
The study of more than 17,000 people who had never taken HIV meds found that, even among those with a CD4 count well over 350, the higher the count, the less likely they were to develop an AIDS-related illness or die.
From aidsmap.com
First-Line Therapy: What Should You Take? (July 2, 2007)
Discusses Choosing Among Drug Classes , Efavirenz-Based Combinations , Ritonavir-Boosted PI-Based Regimens and Considering NRTIs.
From The Body PRO
Three Months of Meds in Early Infection May Slow Down HIV in the Long Run (June 26, 2007)
From aidsmap.com
Voices Grow Louder in Support of Earlier HAART Initiation (January 12, 2007)
From aidsmap.com
Large Study Backs Starting HIV Treatment When CD4 Count Is Above 350 (January 9, 2007)
From aidsmap.com
Veterans Medical Affairs Researchers to Request NIH Funding for Study Examining Best Time to Start Antiretroviral Treatment (January 8, 2007)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
CD4 Percentage May Be Useful for Deciding Whether to Start HIV Treatment (January 5, 2007)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Strategic Use of Antiretroviral Therapy: What to Use and When? (September 28, 2006)
In 46th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
Two Studies Examine Potential Benefit of Beginning ART During Acute Infection (September 1, 2006)
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Optimal Timing of HAART Initiation Does Not Differ With Regimens That Include Efavirenz or Ritonavir-Boosted Protease Inhibitors (August 15, 2006)
In XVI International AIDS Conference
To Start or Not to Start? CD4 Percentage May Provide Guidance (August 29, 2005)
[Archived Article]
Among people with a CD4 count above 350, HIV disease progression is found to be 3.6 times more likely for those with a CD4 percentage below 17%.
From aidsmap.com
Tangle of Interests and Disclosure Omissions Cracks Authors' Case for Early, Aggressive Treatment (January 2005)
[Archived Article]
AIDS advocate Mike Barr expresses concern over the influence of drug company money on HIV clinical practice -- and over some journals' lax disclosure policies.
In TAGline, from Treatment Action Group
HIV JournalView: When to Start Antiretroviral Therapy? (December 2004)
[Archived Article]
Several articles in Clinical Infectious Diseases debate starting treatment earlier in infants and adults than current guidelines recommend.
From The Body PRO
Articles Debate Starting HIV Therapy at CD4 Count Over 350 (November 23, 2004)
[Archived Article]
From aidsmap.com
Injection Drug Users Should Start HAART Earlier, Study Suggests (September 8, 2004)
[Archived Article]
From aidsmap.com
Study Supports Early Start to NNRTI-Based HAART (July 1, 2004)
[Archived Article]
A small London study finds that early treatment causes viral load to drop to levels similar to long-term HIV nonprogressors.
In Journal of AIDS
Update on the Treatment of Acute and Early HIV Infection (May 2004)
[Archived Article]
Details of a talk by Dr. Martin Markowitz of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center and Dr. Bruce Walker of Harvard Medical School; includes a discussion of drug resistance transmission.
In The PRN Notebook
Adherence, not Baseline CD4 Cell Count, Linked to CD4 Cell Gain on HAART (February 25, 2004)
[Archived Article]
New support for those who feel treatment should be delayed until a patient's CD4 cell count falls near 200.
From aidsmap.com
Little Benefit Seen for Treatment During Acute Infection (February 9, 2004)
[Archived Article]
In The 11th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, from The Body PRO
Gastrointestinal Side Effects Lead One in Eight to Change HAART Regimen in First Year of Treatment (November 27, 2003)
[Archived Article]
More than half of new HAART patients were also found to switch or stop their initial regimens within the first year, often without consulting their doctors.
From aidsmap.com
Effect of Medication Adherence on Survival of HIV-Infected Adults Who Start Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy When the CD4+ Cell Count Is 0.200 to 0.350 x 109 Cells/L (November 18, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In Annals of Internal Medicine
NNRTI-Based HAART Associated With Quicker CD4 Cell Gains Than PI-Based Therapy (November 13, 2003)
[Archived Article]
Most of the patients in this large but non-randomized Canadian study were taking nevirapine (Viramune).
In The XIII International AIDS Conference, from aidsmap.com
Induction/Maintenance Approach Revived -- But Will Patients Stick With It? (October 28, 2003)
[Archived Article]
From aidsmap.com
Gilead Warns Against Use of Triple-NRTI Regimen 3TC, ddI, Tenofovir (October 14, 2003)
To read PDF, click here
From U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Interim Analysis of Failure of Tenofovir/Abacavir/3TC Regimen (September 16, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, from The Body PRO
A Comparison of AZT/3TC vs. d4T/ddI, Plus Efavirenz, Nevirapine or Indinavir/Ritonavir (September 15, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, from The Body PRO
Efavirenz or Nevirapine Regimens Are More Potent Than Trizivir for Initial Therapy (September 15, 2003)
[Archived Article]
A 100-patient Spanish study confirms the findings of ACTG 5095.
In The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, from The Body PRO
Emergence of Resistance-Associated Mutations Over 96 Weeks in Patients Initiating ABC/3TC + d4T, EFV or APV/r (September 15, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, from The Body PRO
Kaletra "Monotherapy" Safe and Efficacious for Treatment-Naive Patients (September 15, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, from The Body PRO
No Major Renal Problems With Tenofovir Were Identified in the Naive Population Evaluated in the GS 903 Study (September 15, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, from The Body PRO
Recent Advances in the Clinical Management of the Antiretroviral-Naive Patient (September 15, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, from The Body PRO
Treatment Regimens Containing Efavirenz, Nevirapine or Kaletra Are the Most Potent Options for Patients Starting Therapy (September 15, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, from The Body PRO
Trizivir Plus Efavirenz Potent for Naive Patients With Low CD4 Counts and High Viral Loads (September 15, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, from The Body PRO
Abacavir Not Inferior to AZT in Treatment-Naive Patients (September 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 43rd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, from The Body PRO
When to Begin Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy? Evidence Supporting Initiation of Therapy at CD4+ Lymphocyte Counts <350 Cells (September 12, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In Clinical Infectious Diseases
A Randomized Trial of 2 Different 4-Drug Antiretroviral Regimens Versus a 3-Drug Regimen, in Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disease (September 1, 2003)
[Archived Article]
Patients with advanced HIV are found to benefit the most from HAART regimens containing efavirenz (Sustiva), as opposed to regimens containing nelfinavir (Viracept) or no NNRTI at all.
In Journal of Infectious Diseases
Viread, Epivir and Ziagen Combination -- Failure in Naive Patients With a Once-Daily Regimen (September/October 2003)
[Archived Article]
Daniel S. Berger, M.D., chief investigator in study ESS30009, examines what went wrong.
To read PDF, click here
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
Wait Six Months After HIV Treatment Begins to Determine Prognosis, Study Says (August 29, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, from Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation
Early Virologic Non-Response in Patients With HIV Infection Treated With Lamivudine, Abacavir and Tenofovir (July 25, 2003)
"Dear Healthcare Provider" letter from GlaxoSmithKline.
From U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Abacavir/3TC/Tenofovir Combination Fails in Treatment-Naive Patients (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
Analysis by Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
Abacavir/3TC/Tenofovir Combination Failure in Treatment-Naive Patients (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
Analysis by Timothy Wilkin, M.D.
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
ACTG 5095: Efavirenz-Based Regimens Outperform Triple Nucleoside Combination (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
Addition of Abacavir Does Not Appreciably Enhance the Antiviral Potency of a Standard Triple-Therapy Regimen (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
Another Look at Induction Maintenance Therapy (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
48-week data on Trizivir and efavirenz in treatment-naive patients.
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
CD4 Count at Treatment Initiation Has Decreased Over the Years (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
Comparison of Once-Daily FTC Vs. Twice-Daily Abacavir in a Regimen for Drug-Naive Patients (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
Efavirenz-Based HAART Outperforms a Triple Nucleoside Regimen in Clinical Practice (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
For Potency Tenofovir Equals d4T but Tenofovir Beats d4T With Less Frequent and Common Side Effects (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
Forty-Eight Week Data From FTC-d4T Comparison in Treatment-Naive Patients (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
FTC Potent Within a HAART Regimen in Treatment-Naive HIV-Infected Patients With High Viral Loads (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
More Results Reported on Study 903: Tenofovir + 3TC + Efavirenz Vs. d4T + 3TC + Efavirenz (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
Nevirapine- Versus Efavirenz-Containing Three-Drug Regimens (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
Trizivir Often Successful in Treatment-Naive Patients; Resistance Testing Key for Failures (July 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
Early HAART Extends Life, Costs Less, Study Says -- Despite Cardiovascular Risks (June 11, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update, from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Buzz: Anatomy of a Study -- Trizivir vs. Sustiva (May/June 2003)
[Archived Article]
A closer look at ACTG 5095, which examined the use of Trizivir and efavirenz in several first-line treatment regimens.
To read PDF, click here
In Positively Aware, from Test Positive Aware Network
CROI 2003: When, and With What, to Initiate Antiretroviral Treatment (February 14, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 10th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, from The Body PRO
Is HAART for Primary/Early HIV Infection Associated With Improved Outcomes After Treatment Discontinuation? (February 13, 2003)
[Archived Article]
In The 10th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, from The Body PRO
Earlier Initiation of HAART Better Preserves Functional Immune Competence Even in Persons Who Achieve "Normal" CD4+ T-Cell Counts (July 11, 2002)
[Archived Article]
In The XIV International AIDS Conference, from The Body PRO
When to Start ARV Therapy: Where Are We Now? (July 9, 2002)
[Archived Article]
In The XIV International AIDS Conference, from The Body PRO
When to Start Antiretroviral Therapy? (February 26, 2002)
[Archived Article]
In The 9th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, from The Body PRO
Prognosis of HIV-1 Infected Drug-Naive Patients Starting Potent Antiretroviral Therapy: Multi-Cohort Analysis of 12,040 Patients (December 18, 2001)
[Archived Article]
In 41st Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC 2001), from The Body PRO
HIV Viral Load Response to Antiretroviral Therapy According to the Baseline CD4 Cell Count and Viral Load (November 28, 2001)
[Archived Article]
In Journal of the American Medical Association
Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy During HIV Infection (November 28, 2001)
[Archived Article]
An editorial.
In Journal of the American Medical Association
New Finding May Help Doctors Prevent HIV Drug Resistance (November 22, 2001)
[Archived Article]
From U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Initiation of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) at CD4 Level 350: Assessment of Disease Progression, and Drug Failure, Toxicity, and Resistance (October 27, 2001)
[Archived Article]
In 39th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, from The Body PRO
When to Start Antiretroviral Therapy; Considerations in Choosing an Initial Regimen; When to Change Regimens; Options for Managing Failure (July 10, 2001)
[Archived Article]
In The 1st International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, from The Body PRO
Optimizing Available Antiretroviral Therapies (February 8, 2001)
[Archived Article]
In The 8th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, from The Body PRO
CD4 + Lymphocyte Level Is Better than HIV-1 Plasma Viral Load in Determining When to Initiate HAART (February 7, 2001)
[Archived Article]
In The 8th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, from The Body PRO
Low Lymph Node Viral Load Despite High Viremia in Seroconverters Supports Early HAART Intervention (February 7, 2001)
[Archived Article]
In The 8th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, from The Body PRO
Long-Term Survival After Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy (February 6, 2001)
[Archived Article]
In The 8th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, from The Body PRO
Cohort Studies Suggesting Immediate HAART Confers No Extra Benefit Compared with Deferred HAART in HIV-Infected Persons CD4 >200 cells/mm³ (March 2000)
[Archived Article]
In TAGline, from Treatment Action Group
A Call for More Cautious Antiretroviral Treatment (February 18, 2000)
[Archived Article]
From AIDS Treatment News
CD4 Nadir and Disease Progression (April 1999)
[Archived Article]
In GMHC Treatment Issues, from Gay Men's Health Crisis

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