GSK: Data shows no increased risk of myocardial infarction associated with abacavir

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has expressed its surprise at new data published this week in the Lancet from the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D).

The data suggests a possible association between anti-retroviral therapy regimens containing abacavir and an increased risk of myocardial infarction.

GSK states that analysis of its own data found in its internal database suggest no such risk.

Information analysed by the firm includes that from external post-marketing surveillance reports and data from 54 clinical trials involving over 14,000 patients, 9,600 of whom were administered with abacavir.

Didier Lapierre, vice-president of clinical development for infectious diseases at GSK, said: “The D:A:D findings are unexpected, since we have not seen similar findings in our studies and we are unaware of any potential biological mechanism that would explain them.”

He added that despite the relative increase in heart attack risk seen in the D:AD study in patients who had recently taken abacavir, the risk in absolute terms remains low, urging those taking the compound to not discontinue treatment on their own.

Abacavir sulfate is a synthetic carbocyclic nucleoside analogue with inhibitory activity against human immunodeficiency virus marketing by GSK as Ziagen.