Single-agent/combination therapy of human immunodeficiency virus-related wasting

Weight loss and wasting are significant contributors to morbidity in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The approach to the patient with HIV and weight loss needs to be proactive and comprehensive, as early intervention may be beneficial and the weight loss may be multifactorial. Evaluation for weight loss needs to be directed at any apparent contributing cause and can include dietary evaluation, treatment of intercurrent complicating infections or malignancies, and maximization of HIV therapy. Some patients will also benefit from an evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract to document malabsorption and/or opportunistic enteric infections. It is also prudent to evaluate testosterone levels in male patients. Interventions in the patient who is not able to take in sufficient calories should include dietary advice and/or nutritional supplements, as well as the use of appetite stimulants. Megace (Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ) has been shown to effectively increase appetite, oral intake, and body weight. For the patient with malabsorption and/or diarrhea, treatment of enteric infections should be attempted. These patients may benefit from the replacement of some dietary fat with medium-chain triglycerides, either in a nutritional product or to replace cooking oils. Other patients may benefit from the use of anabolic agents such as growth hormone, nandrolone, testosterone, or oxandrolone, which are all effective at increasing lean body mass. For select patients, agents such as thalidomide might be of benefit, although its mechanism of action is not clear. There are few data from prospective, controlled trials of combinations of these agents, but these studies are underway. It is likely that the optimal interventions for patients will be combinations of agents to improve oral intake and add lean body mass, which will permit a reduction in morbidity from weight loss and an improvement in quality of life for the HIV-infected patient.