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ZIDOVUDINE IS EFFECTIVE AGAINST AIDS.

In 1986, physicians stopped a randomized trial of zidovudine (formerly known as azidothymidine AZT ) in patients with AIDS before the planned conclusion of the study because patients who received the drug had a significant reduction in 17-week mortality. This report on 4805 patients who received zidovudine in a nonrandomized compassionate-plea program should ease concerns over possible premature enthusiasm for the drug. The overall 44- week survival rate was 73 percent; although there was no control group for this population, previous studies have found about a 50 percent survival rate over a similar period among patients not treated with zidovudine.

Another report in this issue of JAMA describes successful treatment of HIV-related thrombocytopenia with zidovudine in three patients whose disease had been refractory to treatment with steroids and other conventional measures, including splenectomy. An accompanying editorial concludes that zidovudine is an important first step in the development of therapy for HIV infection. Further research must proceed quickly to prepare for the expected onslaught of cases.

— THL

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine December 6, 1988

Citation(s):

Bartlett J A. HIV therapeutics: an emerging science. JAMA 1988 Nov 25 260 3051-3052.

• Medline abstract (Free)

Pottage J C, Jr; Benson C A; Spear J B; Landay A L; Kessler H A. Treatment of human immunodeficiency virus-related thrombocytopenia with zidovudine. JAMA 1988 Nov 25 260 3045-3048.

• Medline abstract (Free)

Creagh Kirk T; Doi P; Andrews E et al. Survival experience among patients with AIDS receiving zidovudine: follow-up of patients in a compassionate plea program. JAMA 1988 Nov 25 260 3009-3015.

• Medline abstract (Free)