New therapeutic strategies for raltegravir

Raltegravir (Isentress) is the first approved HIV integrase inhibitor. Agents in this class target a different viral enzyme compared with agents inhibiting reverse transcriptase and protease. A wide number of patients are currently susceptible to integrase inhibitors, including heavily antiretroviral-experienced patients harbouring drug-resistant viruses. The good tolerability and convenience of raltegravir have recently begun to be appreciated, leading to the consideration of other indications for the drug. Data recently released using the drug as first-line therapy or in switch strategies are very promising and the role of raltegravir in intensification therapy is currently under investigation. Altogether, the current information supports a broad use of raltegravir beyond its initial approval for antiretroviral-experienced HIV-infected patients.