Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF AIDS: CHEMOTHERAPY AND CHEMOPROPHYLAXIS
The Epidemiology of AIDS: Expression, Occurrence, and Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection. Kaslow RA and Francis DP, eds. New York, Oxford University Press, p. 282-308, 1989.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/90668124 Skowron G; Merigan TC; Div. of Infectious Diseases, Stanford Univ. Sch. of Medicine,; Stanford, CA 94305
Abstract:
Therapeutic agents against HIV-1 can be divided broadly into those that specifically inhibit HIV-1 (antivirals) and those that augment the body's own defenses against HIV-1 infection (immunomodulators); some agents show dual activity. Chemotherapy against HIV-1 is reviewed and attempts at chemoprophylaxis are discussed. Topics include the antiviral agents (suramin, azidothymidine, 2',3'-dideoxycytidine and other nucleoside analogs, ribavarin, heteropolyanion-23, rifabutine, phosphonoformate, dextran sulfate, recombinant soluble CD4, AL-721, and peptide T) and immunomodulators (interleukin 2, gamma interferon, alpha interferon, ampligen, thymic hormones and thymus fragment transplantation, isoprinosine, diethyldithiocarbamate, cyclosporin A, lymphocyte transfusion and bone marrow transplantation, and iv gamma globulin). No therapy yet available offers a complete cure, and it is likely that even effective virustatic drugs will need to be given for long periods of time, if not for the life of the patient. This raises questions of drug-induced side effects, such as infertility, chromosomal damage, or late carcinogenic potential, especially in children. Many questions remain, even about therapy known to be active against HIV-1. Because of the importance of CNS complications in AIDS, any effective therapy or prophylaxis will need to cross the blood-brain barrier or may require intrathecal administration. Another issue is the ability of these drugs to cross the placenta, ie, to combat primary intrauterine infection and cause fetal damage. Chemoprophylaxis can be employed in two ways: preventing the development of AIDS in individuals already infected with HIV-1 and preventing the establishment of initial infection, as in the use of surface-active agents such as nonoxynol-9. (152 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*DRUG THERAPY/IMMUNOLOGY Adjuvants, Immunologic/THERAPEUTIC USE Antiviral Agents/*THERAPEUTIC USE Clinical Trials Comparative Study Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral/DRUG EFFECTS Human HIV Infections/*DRUG THERAPY/IMMUNOLOGY HIV-1/*DRUG EFFECTS/IMMUNOLOGY Immunity, Cellular/DRUG EFFECTS Virus Replication/DRUG EFFECTS CLINICAL TRIAL MONOGRAPH REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL 901230
M90C3725
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
