Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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United Press International - Monday, 20 February 1989
Government AIDS scientists and some researchers have been aware of the data for more than a month but have made no public announcement, Dr. Frank E. Young, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, The Los Angeles Times said.
Oral dextran, which had been considered promising in fighting the deadly disease, is not significantly absorbed into the bloodstream, according to the new human and animal studies.
As a result, the experimental drug is unlikely to protect infection-fighting white blood cells against the ravages of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is the cause of AIDS, the Times said.
Young said the decision to remain silent reflected the "preliminary" nature of the results and fears that an announcement might dash the hopes of thousands of people believed taking the drug.
Dr. Daniel Hoth, director of the AIDS Program at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, cautioned that the data is preliminary and that it is "theoretically possible" that those who take the compound can have increased absorption of dextran over time." However, there is not much precedent for this, he added.
Hoth said that officials are now reviewing data from a six-month government-sponsored study of the drug involving 60 patients and hope to answer lingering questions about its absorption and ability to combat HIV.
Young strongly warned against patients injecting the drug directly into their bloodstream because it can cause thinning, infections or severe allergic reactions. Previous studies showed it did not have serious side effects when taken orally.
The drug is manufactured by Ueno Fine Chemical Industry Ltd. of Osaka, Japan.
Copyright (c) 1989/UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, UPI, 1510 H St. N.W. Washington DC 20005.
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