HIV genomic mutations causing resistance to antiretroviral drugs in seropositive Sicilians.

Through the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy a significant reduction occurred in mortality and morbidity caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The use of antiretroviral drugs resulted in the emergence of resistant viral strains due to mutations that cause a selective advantage to the virus. The aim of our study is to monitor the HIV-1 infection in Sicilians patients evaluating the presence of mutations that make the virus resistant to the therapy.

Phase II study of the antiretroviral activity and safety of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone in HIV-1-infected patients.

Preclinical studies have shown that the anti-glucocorticoid drug mifepristone effectively inhibits HIV replication both in vitro and in vivo. However, the drug did not demonstrate anti-HIV activity in a previous phase I/II study when administered at the daily dose of 75-225 mg. The aim of this study was to assess whether mifepristone may exert antiretroviral activity or influence immunological parameters when administered orally at daily doses of 150 or 300 mg in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-naïve HIV-infected patients.