Tenofovir/emtricitabine metabolites and endogenous nucleotide exposures are associated with p16(INK4a) expression in subjects on combination therapy.

Background: HIV may amplify immunological, physiological and functional changes of ageing. We determined associations of frailty phenotype, a T-cell senescence marker (p16(INK4a) expression), age and demographics with exposures of the intracellular metabolites (IM) and endogenous nucleotides (EN) of tenofovir/emtricitabine (TFV/FTC), efavirenz (EFV), atazanavir (ATV) and ritonavir (RTV).

Methods: Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples for drug, IM and EN concentrations were collected at four time points in HIV+ adults receiving TFV/FTC with EFV or ATV/RTV.