Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - December 1, 1999
In a clinical study, nine out of nine patients were treated with a single dose of this agent and tolerated the treatment with no side effects. Most notably, six out of six patients evaluated for a response of their disease showed reduction of their AIDS virus burden. These patients also showed a 3-to-5 fold enhancement of their immune function represented by their natural killer cells and B-cells. The results of this study are reported by Hughes Institute scientists in the December issue of the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.
This is the first time that targeted biotherapy using a broad spectrum antiviral protein from a plant is shown to be active against the human AIDS virus both in chimpanzees and humans. Pokeweed antiviral protein (PAP) inhibits the AIDS virus by two mechanisms. First, it inhibits the viral protein synthesis, thus preventing the virus from assembling the parts it needs to make a copy of itself. Second, it directly degrades HIV RNA. The agent is active in both resting and activated T-cells and macrophages.
PAP, which has been previously shown to inhibit the replication of human AIDS virus, HIV-1, in the test tube, was targeted to HIV infected cells with a specific antibody. The treatment was found to be safe and effective in four out of four chimpanzees, three of which had no detectable AIDS virus left in their body even by highly sensitive PCR methods. Furthermore, blood samples from the chimpanzees were highly effective in preventing the replication of AIDS virus in healthy lymphocytes in the test tube.
Based on the encouraging results of this study, a multi-institutional study is currently underway to further investigate TXU-PAP as a potential anti-HIV agent. In addition, the Medicines Control Council in South Africa approved use of this agent in African patients. Investigators are hoping that this will prove useful for treatment of patients in Africa who do not have access to costly drug therapies.
This research is funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Reference: Uckun FM, Bellomy K, O'Neill K, Messinger Y, Johnson T, Chen CL. Toxicity, biological activity, and pharmacokinetics of TXU(Anti-CD7)- Pokeweed Antiviral Protein in chimpanzees and adult patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 291(3):1301-1307, 1999.
The Hughes Institute ( http://www.hughesinstitute.org ), located in Roseville, Minn., is a non-profit research organization dedicated to combating cancer, AIDS, and diseases of the immune system.
SOURCE Hughes Institute
CONTACT: Susan Mau Larson of Hughes Institute, 651-697-9228 ext. 679, cell 612-209-0754/
Web Site: http://www.hughesinstitute.org /
991201
PR991202
Copyright © 1999 - PRNewswire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through PRNewswire, Permissions, 810 Seventh Ave., 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10019 http://www.prnewswire.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1999. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 1999. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .