Stavudine-based multiple agent combinations: initial studies and ongoing comparative trials.

Initial studies of multiple-agent antiretroviral combinations including the thymidine nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor (RTI) stavudine (2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine; D4T) have shown potent anti-HIV effects in both treatment-naive and -experienced patients. A number of ongoing randomized comparative trials are assessing stavudine-based multiple agent combinations, including protease inhibitor-containing and -sparing regimens, triple nucleoside RTI regimens and regimens including non-nucleoside RTIs and/or hydroxyurea as initial or subsequent therapy. Results of these studies should help to define additional first-line treatment options and strategies for sequencing antiretroviral treatment regimens.