- For Medical Media Outside the US Only -
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 20 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Results from the ARTEN* trial presented at the 5th International AIDS Society (IAS) conference in Cape Town, South Africa demonstrated non-inferiority regarding efficacy between Viramune(R) (nevirapine) and ritonavir boosted atazanavir (atazanavir/r) both combined with tenofovir and emtricitabine (Truvada(R)). This head-to-head study also showed Viramune(R)'s more favourable effect on the lipid profile and now clearly confirms the combination's place as an important first line therapy for patients with HIV.
To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/boehringeringelheim/39137/
"ARTEN puts to rest the concerns over a potential lack of efficacy of Viramune(R) in combination with Truvada(R)," lead investigator of the ARTEN study, Professor Vicente Soriano, Assistant Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid said. "The results confirm that the combination of Viramune(R) and Truvada(R) is a highly efficacious combination that offers significant benefit even more so to patients with cardiovascular risk."
ARTEN is the first large-scale prospective study to compare two frequently prescribed lipid friendly, antiretrovirals(ARVs): atazanavir and Viramune(R).(1,2) Compared to values at baseline, Viramune(R) increased absolute HDL-c (the so called good cholesterol) to more than two-fold the value achieved with atazanavir/r (9.7 mg/dL vs 3.9 mg/dL (P<0.0001). Also the total cholesterol over HDL-c ratio was significantly in favour of Viramune(R) (P<0.0001).(3)
The study also sought to establish whether the combination itself was an effective treatment option for patients with a high viral load. Results have successfully answered these questions by showing that the combination of Viramune(R) with Truvada(R) achieved undetectable viral load as early as in two consecutive office visits prior to week 48 (e.g. week 24,36 and 48) in 67% of patients versus 65% (atazanavir/r + Truvada(R)).(1)
"ARTEN provides evidence that Viramune(R) is and continues to be a potent choice in ARV therapy today regardless of viral load. This is particularly important in late-presenting patients whose infection has already progressed. We see a considerable number of those in clinical practice," said Professor Soriano.
At the end of 2007, approximately 33 million individuals were living with HIV.(4) With successful antiretroviral therapy, the number of deaths per year has been declining(5) and patients infected with HIV are now living longer. However, recent reports suggest that cardiovascular disease has become an important cause of morbidity and mortality in this population.(6) Many are now also suffering increased rates of coronary heart disease (CHD).(7)
Dr Manfred Haehl, Senior Vice-President Medicine at Boehringer Ingelheim said, "Given the current concerns regarding CHD in those with HIV, patients are now increasingly looking for treatment strategies that have the most lipid friendly profile in order to safeguard their wider health and to prevent the onset of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. ARTEN now clearly provides additional reassurance for physicians to treat with more confidence patients with a Viramune(R) and Truvada(R) combination."
* Atazanavir/Ritonavir on a background of Tenofovir and Emtricitabine
(Truvada(R) a trademark of Gilead Science...) versus Nevirapine
About ARTEN
ARTEN is an international, open label, randomized, non-inferiority (12% margin) study comparing ATZ/r 300mg/100mg QD vs. NVP 200mg BID or 400mg QD, each combined with fixed-dose TDF 300mg/FTC 200mg QD. Treatment-naive men and women with CD4 counts <400 and <250 cells/mm3, respectively, were eligible. Primary end-point was treatment response (TR), defined as plasma HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL at two consecutive visits (i.e. weeks 24 and 36) and without subsequent rebound or change of ARVs prior to wk-48.
569 patients were randomised and treated. Baseline demographics and HIV-related characteristics were similar between groups. Mean HIV-RNA was 5.1 log10 copies/mL (64% >100,000 copies/mL); mean CD4 count was 183 cells/mm3.
About Viramune(R)
Viramune(R) is a product of original research done at Boehringer Ingelheim. Viramune(R) was the first member of the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) class of anti-HIV drugs. Viramune(R) is indicated for use in combination with other antiretroviral agents for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. This indication is based on one principal clinical trial that demonstrated prolonged suppression of HIV-RNA and several smaller supportive studies. Studies have also shown that patients switching to Viramune(R) from a PI-based regimen demonstrate an improved lipid profile while maintaining viral suppression. The most clinically important adverse events associated with Viramune(R) are rash and hepatic events, which have included fatal cases. Any patient can experience hepatic events; however, female gender and higher CD4+ cell counts at initiation of therapy place patients at greater risk. Women with CD4+ cell counts >250 cells/mm3 are at the greatest risk. Viramune(R) should not be initiated in adult females with CD4+ cell counts greater than 250 cells/mm3 or in adult males with CD4+ cell counts greater than 400 cells/mm3 unless the benefit outweighs the risk. The greatest risk of severe rash and hepatic events occurs in the first six weeks of therapy. It is essential that patients be monitored for these reactions at all times, and intensively during the first few months of therapy. Viramune(R) should be discontinued and not restarted following severe hepatic, skin or hypersensitivity reactions.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 138 affiliates in 47 countries and 41,300 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the independent, family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.
In 2008, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of 11.6 billion euro while spending one fifth of net sales in its largest business segment Prescription Medicines on research and development.
For more information please visit http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com and http://www.viramune.com .
References
1 Martinez, E., et al., Substitution of nevirapine, efavirenz, or abacavir for protease inhibitors in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. N Engl J Med, 2003. 349(11): p. 1036-46.
2 Friis-Moller, N., et al., Cardiovascular disease risk factors in HIV patients -- association with antiretroviral therapy. Results from the DAD study. Aids, 2003. 17(8): p. 1179-93.
3 Soriano, V et al., Prospective comparison of Nevirapine and Atazanavir/ritonavir both combined with Tenofovir DF/Emtricitabine in treatment-naive HIV-1 infected patients: ARTEN Study week 48 results 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2009), July 19 -22, 2009, Poster LBPEB07
4 UNAIDS 2008 Report, http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/HIVData/GlobalReport/2008/2008_Global_report.asp , Accessed 05 June 2009
5 Worldwide HIV & AIDS Statistics Commentary http://www.avert.org/worlstatinfo.htm , Accessed 05 June 2009
6 Lohse N, Hansen AB, Pedersen G, Kronborg G, Gerstoft J, S0rensen HT, Vaeth M, Obel N. Survival of persons with and without HIV infection in Denmark, 1995-2005. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146:87-95.
7 DAD Study Group, Friis-M0ller N, Reiss P, et al., Class of antiretroviral drugs and the risk of myocardial infarction, N Engl J Med, 2007;356(17):1723-35.
For more information, please contact:
Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH
Corporate Division Communications
Dr Heike Specht
Binger Strasse 173
55216 Ingelheim am Rhein
GERMANY
Tel: +49-6132-779-3319
Email: press@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Nick James
Tel: +44-777-625-8990
Email: n.james@cca-uk.com
