Strong in Vitro Synergy Between the Fusion Inhibitor T-20 and the CXCR4 Blocker AMD-3100

Authors:
  • CKChristopher Kollmann
    Christopher Kollmann
  • FGFrançoise Giguel
    Françoise Giguel
  • TCTing-Chao Chou
    Ting-Chao Chou
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Abstract
Attachment and entry of HIV-1 into CD4 cells involve a series of events in which different viral envelope proteins interact with specific cell receptors, culminating in fusion of viral and cell membranes. AMD-3100 is a small molecule inhibitor of HIV-1 attachment to the CXCR4 chemokine receptor, and T-20 is a synthetic peptide corresponding to a region of HIV-1 gp41 that blocks fusion to cell membranes. To evaluate the interaction between agents acting at two different steps of the entry process, we conducted in vitro studies of the combination of T-20 and AMD-3100 against an X4 HIV-1 isolate. Single drugs or multiply diluted fixed ratio combinations of drugs were added to peripheral blood mononuclear cells infected with a clinical isolate, 14aPre. Drug interactions were evaluated using the median-effect principle and the combination index technique. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) for T-20 was 0.10 μg/ml and for AMD-3100 was 0.19 μg/ml. Synergy was observed between T-20 and AMD-3100 and this increased with higher inhibitory concentrations, with combination indices ranging from 0.62 at IC50 to 0.02 at IC95. Whether these synergistic interactions translate into clinical benefit will need to be addressed in the context of clinical trials. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Martin S. Hirsch, Infectious Diseases Unit, Gray 5, Massachusetts General Hospital, Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, U.S.A.; e-mail: [email protected] This work was presented in part at the 7th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, San Francisco, California, U.S.A., 2000 [abstract #500]. Manuscript received May 12, 2000; accepted July 18, 2000. © 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

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