PENTA 5 update: abacavir-containing regimens sustain efficacy

Abacavir-containing regimens continued to demonstrate efficacy in the treatment of children with HIV infections in 96-week results from the Paediatric European Network for Treatment of AIDS (PENTA) 5 study presented at the XIV International AIDS Conference [Barcelona, Spain; July 2002]. Importantly, fewer patients switched from abacavir-containing regimens, compared with a zidovudine plus lamivudine regimen, due to virological failure or lack of response. A high rate of adherence with therapy was reported during the first 48 weeks of treatment, and compliance correlated with the reduction in viral load.