Enfuvirtide and cutaneous injection-site reactions.

ABSTRACT

Enfuvirtide belongs to a newer class of antiretroviral (ARV) agents called fusion inhibitors for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Enfuvirtide blocks attachment, binding, and entry of the viral capsid into the host CD4+ cell. Administration is only available subcutaneously in a twice-daily regimen particularly for those patients who have previously failed more than one ARV regimen. Common side effects of enfuvirtide administration include fatigue, insomnia, nausea, and diarrhea; however, injection-site reactions are the most common side effect and present in nearly all individuals undergoing treatment. The spectrum of cutaneous manifestations ranges from little to no reaction to cysts, nodules, induration, or sclerodermalike lesions. These reactions are mostly variants of iatrogenically induced hypersensitivity and are self-limited.