(ATDN) Getting the right message

(ATDN) Getting the right message

Treatment Review No. 10; March 1994

Much more attention is now being given to how the immune system reacts to the presence of HIV. Over the years, scientists have offered different theories on how T4 cells are lost, and why people become sick when they do. None of these ideas have been clearly proven to be correct. One person with AIDS who takes AZT with vitamin supplements may live longer than another person with AIDS who dec ides not to do anything. The reverse may sometimes be true. A handful of long-term survivors, however, do not prove the benefits of any one drug or way of approaching the management of AIDS. If it were that easy everyone with AIDS would be alive today. Research continues.

This issue reviews a new drug called Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and the clinical trials of this drug being done at the National Institutes of Health. Actually, it's not such a new drug, nor are these the first studies of this drug. In 1984, people with AIDS were given IL-2 in much higher doses than are being tested now. The results were disastrous. People became sick and died. Although most of the people with AIDS who took the drug were very sick in the first place, it appeared that the drug didn't help, and probably made things worse. Since that time, work on IL-2 has continued. Although some people are eager to make the claim that IL-2 taken for five days every two months, for example, will create a long-lasting and meaningful increase in T4 cells, there is not yet much more than a tiny bit of evidence that this will happen. It might.

In previous studies of IL-2, a significant increase in T4 cells was seen - for a short period and for as long as the drug was continued. The side effects, however, were intense. Hopefully, the way that the drug is now being tested will help to avoid some of the side effects such as fevers, chills and an overall sick feeling. Scientists are fine tuning how IL-2 is given, including how much and when and for how long. Current studies administer the drug for five days once a month, as opposed to every day. The doses that are being used are lower. Perhaps this will allow the immune system to create a more balanced response. Some people have begun on their own to inject themselves with IL-2, which is available by prescription for people with cancer. This, of course, is very dangerous. We don't recommend it. More importantly, we strongly encourage the participation of a trained medical professional. Until more is known about IL- 2 and how to best use the drug and what it actually does to the immune system, we encourage people who are considering using the drug, as well as those who are interested in the clinical trials described in this Treatment Review, to carefully weigh all the benefits and risks.

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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeard in 1994. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1994. AEGIS.