The Search for Data on When to Start Treatment for HIV Infection

clinical events at higher CD4+ cell counts; the negative impact of side effects on qual- ity of life as well as the occasional occur- rence of life-threatening adverse effects, including ones that have been associated with long-term use of ART (such as my- ocardial infarction); and the inconve- nience of drug regimens, leading to re- duced adherence, an increased risk of drug resistance, and limitations on future drug options. Revisiting these issues, Phillips et al. (5) recently concluded that advances in drug development and an improved un- derstanding of the durability and adverse effects of specific drugs has led to renewed interest in the possibility that initiation of ART at CD4+ cell counts 1200 cells/mL might be preferable.