Clinical Expectations of Efficacy: Protease Inhibitor Potency*

Tremendous strides were made in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection with the introduction of protease inhibitor (PI) therapy. However, limitations in the tolerability and potency of initial PIs quickly emerged. The development of newer agents in this class attempts to address these concerns, offering less frequent dosing, lower pill burdens, and increased potency through pharmacokinetic boosting. This article considers how newer PIs that have been recently approved or are in lateor early-stage clinical development are meeting the challenge of effective potency. With improvements in efficacy and tolerability seen in clinical trials with these agents, newer PIs may offer opportunities for achieving suppression of viral replication while providing patients with greater flexibility and less impact on their daily lives. (Adv Stud Med. 2003;3(10B):S975-S980)