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Research predicts HIV drug reaction

Specialists at Leicester's hospitals are taking part in research that is improving care for people living with HIV.

The antiretroviral drug abacavir has helped to revolutionise HIV treatment, requiring many patients to take just two pills once a day, instead of following a complex regime often involving four to five different medications.

Failure to comply by missing a dose can have devastating consequences for HIV patients, as the virus can quickly build up resistance to drugs which prevents them working.

But the drug can cause a rare but potentially deadly side effect in around one in 20 patients called 'hypersensitivity syndrome', leading to a severe skin rash and swollen joints and in rare cases death. This has put a number of patients off the drug who could benefit.

Now patients at Leicester's infectious diseases unit are being offered gene testing as part of a research project which can accurately predict whether a patient will react through a simple blood test.

Patients with the gene HLA B5701 are up to 100 times more likely to have an adverse reaction to the drug.

Dr Martin Wiselka, consultant in infectious diseases at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and a clinical tutor at Leicester Medical School, said: "The risk has put doctors and patients off trying the drug, but if we do a gene test before we start and identify the patients who will have a reaction we can use it more widely."

The results of the research are due out later this year, but Leicestershire's patients are now being routinely gene tested before being considered for the treatment. Those found to be unsuitable can be offered a range of other effective treatments.

"We strongly believe that the test will be useful", added Dr Wiselka. " We will prevent reactions occurring, as those patients who test positive for the gene will not be given the drug, those patients who are negative for the gene test can be prescribed the drug safely. This is a first drug where we can test for a adverse reaction in advance of prescribing it. This would be useful for other medicines such as penicillin allergy."

The news has been welcomed by HIV and AIDS workers in Leicestershire.

Gordon Warren from Leicestershire AIDS Support Services (LASS) said: "Although there are now a range of drugs available, whatever can be done to improve overall treatment options; reduce potential side effects; make it easier to take the drugs; and improve quality of life, is welcome."

ENDS

Interview Opportunity

Dr Martin Wiselka is available for interview on Monday, July 2 or Tuesday, July 3. For further information or to arrange an interview please call the communications office on 0116 2588715 or email carol.burns@uhl-tr.nhs.uk

Notes for editors

• Previous research has suggested that around one in 20 patients given abacavir will suffer hypersensitivity syndrome.
• The research is being funded by Glaxo-Smith Kline and is known as the PREDICT study
• More than 2,000 people are involved in the study at specialist centres around the world
• Leicester's Hospitals have been rated as excellent for their quality of services in the Healthcare Commission's Annual Health Check, putting them top of the national league table for large acute teaching Trusts and in the top six of all Trusts nationally. The three hospitals - Glenfield, Leicester General and Leicester Royal Infirmary - cared for over 1 million people last year.
• Research and Development at Leicester's hospitals continues to underpin much of our activity. For the third year running, we have achieved the highest possible rating from the Department of Health for all our NHS research programmes; no other Trust in the country has a better record.
• There are approximately 700 HIV-positive patients in Leicestershire.The majority are on antiviral treatment. Antiviral treatment has revolutionised the outcome of HIV infection which used to be fatal in all cases. The treatment suppresses the virus but does not cure the disease. Patients are likely to require lifelong treatment but those on treatment remain well, are able to return to work in many cases and can look forward to a virtually normal life expectancy.

Issued by: Carol Burns on 0116 258 8715