Studies of ocular complications of AIDS Foscarnet-Ganciclovir Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Trial: 1. Rationale, design, and methods

R. A. Lewis, P. Clogston, V. Fainstein, R. Gross, L. Merin, T. Samo, C. Tuttle, D. A. Jabs, L. Apuzzo, J. Bartlett, J. P. Dunn, L. Eldred, J. Feinberg, T. Flynn, R. King, J. Leslie, B. Barron, D. Greenspan, C. LeCount

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is the most common intraocular infection in patients with AIDS and affects an estimated 20% of these patients. Two drugs, ganciclovir and foscarnet, are currently available for the treatment of CMV retinitis. The Foscarnet-Ganciclovir CMV Retinitis Trial was designed: (1) to evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of foscarnet and ganciclovir for the treatment of CMV retinitis in patients with AIDS; and (2) to compare the relative benefits of immediate treatment versus deferral of the treatment for patients with disease not involving the posterior pole. Prior to randomization, patients were assigned to one of two strata based upon the location and extent of retinitis in the more severely involved eye. Patients with retinitis in zone 1 (posterior pole) or extensive retinitis (extent ≥25% retina) in zones 2 and/or 3 (peripheral retina) were randomly assigned to immediate treatment with either ganciclovir or foscarnet. Patients with CMV retinitis confined to ≤25% of the retina and in zones 2 and/or 3 were offered the option of participating in the comparison of immediate treatment versus deferral of treatment. Patients opting to participate in this comparison were randomly assigned to immediate treatment versus deferral. Patients preferring to choose either immediate treatment or deferral (treatment preference design) were randomized only to foscarnet or ganciclovir for treatment of CMV retinitis. Patients in the deferral group were started on drug treatment when the retinitis became more immediately sight-threatening either by virtue of location (involvement of zone 1) or size (extent >25% of the retina). Outcome measures included: survival, retinitis progression, visual function (visual acuity and visual field), drug side effects, and morbidity. Enrollment in the trial began in March 1990 and was completed in October 1991.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)22-39
Number of pages18
JournalControlled Clinical Trials
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1992
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • AIDS
  • Clinical trial
  • Cytomegalovirus retinitis
  • Foscarnet
  • Ganciclovir
  • Ophthalmology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Studies of ocular complications of AIDS Foscarnet-Ganciclovir Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Trial: 1. Rationale, design, and methods'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this