Pharmacogenomics of HIV Therapy: Summary of a Workshop Sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Approximately 1 million people in the United States and over 30 million worldwide are living with human immunodefi ciency virus type 1 (HIV-1). While mortality from untreated infection approaches 100%, survival improves markedly with use of contemporary antiretroviral therapies (ART). In the United States, 25 drugs are approved for treating HIV-1, and increasing numbers are available in resource-limited countries.Safe and effective ART is a cornerstone in the global struggle against the acquired immunodefi ciency syndrome. Variable responses to ART are due at least in part to human genetic variants that affect drug metabolism, drug disposition, and off-site drug targets. Defi ning effects of human genetic variants on HIV treatment toxicity,effi cacy, and pharmacokinetics has far-reaching implications. In 2010, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases sponsored a workshop entitled, Pharmacogenomics– A Path Towards Personalized HIV Care. This article summarizes workshop objectives, presentations, discussions, and recommendations derived from this meeting.

Keywords:

• HIV therapy
• pharmacogenetics
• pharmacogenomics
• workshop