We concur with the letter appearing in The Scientist, Feb. 17, 1997, by H. Hugh Fudenberg [page 13], which states that potentially effective alternative HIV therapies exist today and are attracting interest and undergoing active investigation. These alternative therapies have not been given fair consideration in comparison to the exploitation of pharmaceuticals. In the past, the proclamation that AZT would revolutionize the treatment of this life-threatening illness and provide a possible cure has been only partially true. When AZT did not live up to all hopes, other pharmaceuticals were developed and released with equal promise. These have also met with less than expected results, until the new wave of protease inhibitors. The initial data on these protease inhibitors appear promising; however, adverse reactions have limited their universal use. Eventual resistance is an issue that has been considered with marginal acceptance, and because of this its full impact...
Linda Shecterle