Enfuvirtide: a review of its use in the management of HIV infection

Drugs. 2005;65(8):1139-60. doi: 10.2165/00003495-200565080-00007.

Abstract

Enfuvirtide (Fuzeon), a fusion inhibitor, is indicated in combination with other antiretroviral agents in the treatment of HIV infection in treatment-experienced adults and children aged >6 years. The addition of subcutaneous enfuvirtide to an optimised antiretroviral background regimen improved the virological and immunological response in treatment-experienced HIV-infected patients in the two large, well designed TORO (T-20 vs Optimised Regimen Only) trials. Although injection-site reactions occurred almost universally in enfuvirtide recipients, they were rarely treatment-limiting. Enfuvirtide was otherwise generally well tolerated. The challenge for clinicians is in determining the appropriate timing for enfuvirtide initiation, which requires consideration of the likelihood of a better virological response with the construction of an active background regimen versus the potential for a low rate of adherence to therapy in patients in the early stages of treatment and/or disease development. Enfuvirtide is a novel antiretroviral that is effective in HIV-infected patients whose treatment options are limited by multi-class antiretroviral resistance.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Enfuvirtide
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / chemistry
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / metabolism
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / pharmacology
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / therapeutic use*
  • HIV Fusion Inhibitors / metabolism
  • HIV Fusion Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • HIV Fusion Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Peptide Fragments / chemistry
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology
  • Peptide Fragments / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • HIV Envelope Protein gp41
  • HIV Fusion Inhibitors
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Enfuvirtide