Treatment of HIV-1 infection with combination therapy: antiretroviral agents + biologic response modifiers (Meeting abstract).

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Treatment of HIV-1 infection with combination therapy: antiretroviral agents + biologic response modifiers (Meeting abstract).

Biological Response Modifiers, 2nd International Congress. January 29-31. 1993, San Diego, CA, p. 84, 1993.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/94698356
Schnittman SM; Div. of AIDS, NIAID, NIH, Rockville, MD

Abstract: HIV-1 infects the CD4+ T lymphocyte population leading to progressive decline in immunologic function, and to development of AIDS. Despite the activity and clinical benefit of antiretroviral therapies, these agents fail to halt the disease progression. Antiretrovirals diminish viral replication but result in modest, short-lived increases in CD4+ T cells and immune function. These observations support the concept of combination therapy with antiretroviral agent + biologic response modifier to extend clinical benefits in HIV-infected patients by bolstering the immune response against HIV-1, and by preventing the selection of drug-resistant viral variants. Several Phase I/II clinical trials have demonstrated safety and tolerability as well as antitumor and antiviral effects of combination therapy with interferon-alpha + zidovudine for patients with AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. In general, the best responses are seen in individuals with CD4 cell counts greater than 200/mm3. Randomized, controlled Phase III trials are underway to determine this combination's clinical efficacy. Preliminary studies of combination therapies with zidovudine + interleukin-2 (IL-2), and IL-2 + interferon-alpha have demonstrated promising antiviral and immune enhancing activities. Areas for future research include CD8+ T cell adoptive immunotherapy in combination with IL-2, inhibitors of specific cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6), and vaccination with HIV viral peptides in combination with antiretroviral agents.

Keywords: Clinical Trials Human HIV Infections/DRUG THERAPY/*THERAPY Interferon-alpha/*THERAPEUTIC USE Interleukin-2/*THERAPEUTIC USE Zidovudine/*THERAPEUTIC USE ABSTRACT
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M9450894

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