New research regarding the use of zidovudine alone or in combination with didanosine or zalcitabine offers useful data on treatment with two nucleoside analogue drugs to extending survival and slowing HIV progression, write researchers in a Lancet commentary. The researchers--from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Uganda Cancer Institute, and Projet RETRO-CI--note that there are costs and benefits for both the patient and the community in antiretroviral therapy. However, the more important issues in many countries include programs' lack of ability to monitor therapy; diagnose and treat opportunistic infections; control tuberculosis; and prevent secondary HIV-1 transmission, among others. The authors assert that, while critical, "the issue of antiretrovirals must not supersede the fundamental need to raise the standard of care for all AIDS patients."

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