Key Clinical Trials of Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Chronic HIV-1 Infection in Adults (Leading Article) (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are an essential component of triple-drug antiretroviral therapy regimens. As of 2008, three NNRTIs are used routinely for the treatment of HIV infection: efavirenz, nevirapine and etravirine. The latter, at present has regulatory approval only in the USA. Several other NNRTIs have been evaluated but were withdrawn for reasons of either poor efficacy or unacceptable toxicity. New NNRTIs are in development, reflecting the importance of this class in the treatment of patients with HIV-1 infection. This paper reviews the key randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs) of NNRTIs in the treatment of adult HIV-1 infection, the results of which have significantly influenced clinical practice and led to the primary role of NNRTIs in antiretroviral therapy.