Studies of the Ocular Complications of AIDS (SOCA) CMV Retinitis Trial: Foscarnet-Ganciclovir Component

Summary

To evaluate the relative effectiveness and safety of foscarnet versus ganciclovir for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in people with AIDS; to evaluate the relative effect on survival of the use of these two anti-CMV agents in the treatment of CMV retinitis; to compare the relative benefits of immediate treatment with foscarnet or ganciclovir versus deferral of treatment for CMV retinitis limited to less than 25 percent of zones 2 and 3. CMV retinitis is a common opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS. Ganciclovir is currently the only drug approved for treatment of CMV retinitis in immunocompromised patients. Ganciclovir suppresses CMV infections, and relapse occurs in virtually all AIDS patients when ganciclovir is discontinued. Because of their similar hematologic (blood) toxicities, the simultaneous use of ganciclovir and zidovudine (AZT) is not recommended. More recently the drug foscarnet has become available for investigational use. Studies so far indicate that remission of CMV retinitis occurs in 36 to 77 percent of patients, and that relapse occurs in virtually all patients when the drug is discontinued. The relative effectiveness of foscarnet compared with ganciclovir for the immediate control of CMV infections is unknown. Further, the long-term effects of foscarnet or ganciclovir on CMV retinitis, survival, and morbidity are unknown. There is also no definitive information on the relative effectiveness and safety of deferred versus immediate treatment for CMV retinitis confined to zones 2 and 3.

Timeline

Start

—

Primary completion

1992-04

Completion

—

Publications

• Background Studies of ocular complications of AIDS Foscarnet-Ganciclovir Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Trial: 1. Rationale, design, and methods. AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG). Control Clin Trials. 1992 Feb;13(1):22-39. doi: 10.1016/0197-2456(92)90027-w.
• Background Studies of Ocular Complications of AIDS Research Group; AIDS Clinical Trials Group. Mortality in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome treated with either foscarnet or ganciclovir for cytomegalovirus retinitis. N Engl J Med. 1992 Jan 23;326(4):213-20. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199201233260401.
• Background Holbrook JT, Jabs DA, Weinberg DV, Lewis RA, Davis MD, Friedberg D; Studies of Ocular Complications of AIDS (SOCA) Research Group. Visual loss in patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome before widespread availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Arch Ophthalmol. 2003 Jan;121(1):99-107. doi: 10.1001/archopht.121.1.99.

Drugs

Indications