Bulletin of Experimental Treatments for AIDS, No. 3, June 1989
Ron Baker

** Director of the AIDS/Immunobiology Research Laboratory at UCSF affiliated S.F. General Hospital. Early Tests Promising For New AIDS Drug. Reported by Gina Kolata. New York Times , April 18, 1989, p.B6.

The purified protein extract from the root tuber of a Chinese cucumber plant (Trichosanthes kirilowii) appears to kill infected macrophages and to block replication of the virus in helper cells, according to researchers at UCSF and Genelabs, Inc.

** McGrath MS, et al. GLQ223: An inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus replication in acutely and chronically infected cells of lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocyte lineage. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) , 86(6), April 14, 1989.

In China the root has been used for centuries to induce abortions and, more recently, to treat malignant tumors.

Dr. Michael McGrath and colleagues suggest that Compound Q (GLQ 223) shows great promise as a treatment for HIV infection because in test tube studies, the compound selectively kills HIV infected macrophages without damaging uninfected cells.

** Ibid

It is the only anti HIV drug known to perform in this way.

Macrophages are vital to the immune system as a defense against invading organisms (they destroy infectious agents) and they play an important role in how T cells function. Dr. McGrath says his team's research proves that in HIV infected individuals, macrophages act as a reservoir for virus replication. HIV infects 27% of macrophages in the blood of PWA, according to the UCSF study. These infected macrophages do not die quickly and because they live in almost every body organ, they probably play a critically important role in the development of AIDS.

Compound Q, by an unknown mechanism, only attacks those macrophages and T cells infected with HIV. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times , Dr. McGrath said he did not expect Compound Q to get rid of all HIV infected cells in the body and suggested the drug might be tested in combination with other antivirals such as AZT.

** Toxin From China May Offer AIDS Hope. Reported by Robert Steinbrook. The Los Angeles Times

Phase I safety trials of Compound Q will begin at S.F. General Hospital in May 1989 under the supervision of Dr. Paul Volberding, director of the hospital's AIDS Unit. Dr. Volberding will begin injecting very low doses of the drug into 3 people with AIDS.

** Personal communication, April 29, 1989.

If these volunteers show no adverse side effects from the drug, dosages will be increased and more participants will be added until 20 HIV infected individuals are using Compound Q.

** Ibid

Phase I safety trials usually last for 6 months.

Dr. Volberding and Dr. McGrath warn that people should not use the unpurified Chinese version of Compound Q because it can cause blood clots, seizures and strokes.

** FDA Moves Swiftly to Approve Trials of Promising AIDS Drug. Reported by David Perlman, San Francisco Chronicle , April 28, p.A8.
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