New protease inhibitor for HIV launched
Darunavir selectively inhibits cleavage of HIV-encoded polyproteins |
Darunavir, a new protease inhibitor for HIV patients, was launched last week.
The drug, marketed by Janssen-Cilag as Prezista, is a protease inhibitor
intended to be co-administered with ritonavir and indicated, in combination
with other antiretrovirals, for the treatment of HIV infection in highly
pretreated patients who have failed more than one regimen containing
a protease inhibitor. Darunavir selectively inhibits the cleavage of
HIV-encoded polyproteins in infected cells, preventing the formation
of mature infectious virus particles.
Speaking on behalf of the HIV Pharmacy Association, Sonali Sonecha said
that the launch of darunavir represented an interesting development in
treatment. “Darunavir has been shown to reduce the viral load to
undetectable levels [<50 copies/ml] in highly treatment-experienced
patients,” she told The Journal. “According to British HIV
Association guidelines, this is now considered to be an achievable goal
of highly active antiretroviral therapy and thus darunavir provides an
exciting new option for the treatment of this group.”
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