TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 9 - October 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
David Gold
Despite the expansive spread of HIV in the U.S. land the world), actual funding for HIV/AIDS research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is being reduced. In 1992, the NIH AIDS budget was set at $841 million. For 1993, the President s budget proposed $873 million, although the NIH had requested $1.195 billion.
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 9 - October 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
David Gold
Notes from the Underground, the newsletter of the PWA Health Group, reports that, Sho-Saiko-To (SSKT), a mixture of seven herbs that is widely used in China and Japan , inhibits HIV replication in the test tube. Studies were completed in several reputable labs in the U.S. Based on this data, a Japanese pharmaceutical
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 9 - October 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
David Gold
Efforts by animal rights extremists to halt all medical research using animals may have a substantial impact on research into promising AIDS therapies and vaccines. Among the tactics used by these groups have been harassment of researchers and arson, bombings, and vandalization of research labs. The American Associatio
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 9 - October 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
David Gold
A recent article in Science (August 1992, vol. 257, pg 1211-12) reported a study demonstrating that ultraviolet (UV) light can activate HIV in animals. The most common source of UV exposure comes from sunlight. Sun lamps, tanning salons and PUVA la therapy for psoriasis and other skin diseases) can provide even higher
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 9 - October 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
Gabriel Torres, M.D.
This article is a continuation of Treatment Issues coverage of the VIII International Conference on AIDS, which took place in Amsterdam on July 18-24, 1992. A report concerning women and AIDS will be published next month to complete this series. MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX Studies about the epidemiology of Mycobacteriu
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 9 - October 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
Lark Lands, Ph.D.
Reports have suggested that a deficiency in nutrients in the human body can be a serious early problem in HIV disease. Some have gone so far as to suggest that malnutrition may even compound or create immune dysfunction. It is fairly clear, despite the controversy surrounding the role of nutrition in HIV management, th
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 8 - September, 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
David Gold
Hoffmann-La Roche unveiled its plans for the TAT inhibitor drug, a long-awaited anti-HIV agent. Phase I trials showed the drug to be safe for at least five days. The multi-site trial (ACTG 213) will be a six month dose-ranging trial in people with early stage HIV disease. It will be located at ACTG sites in Baltimore
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 8 - September, 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
David Gold
On August 7,1992, activists from GMHC, ACT UP/ NY, ACT UP/Golden Gate and WHAM met with representatives from Daiichi Pharmaceuticals to discuss plans for SP-PG (now known as DS-4152), a compound which has shown promising results against Kaposi s sarcoma-like and solid tumor diseases in animals. Company officials disclo
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 8 - September, 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
David Gold
A study recently published in JAMA (July 22/29, 1992) raised concerns that nonoxynol-9 may not be as effective in preventing transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases as had been hoped. In the study, the use of a nonoxynol-9 contraceptive sponge among women in Nairobi, Kenya , was associated with a
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 8 - September, 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
David Gold
Gregg Gonsalvez and Mark Harrington of the Treatment Action Group (TAG) have written an incredibly insightful and comprehensive report entitled AIDS Research at the NIH: A Critical Review. Part I is a summary and Part II A User s Guide to the NIH. For copies of both reports send a $15 check or money order (made out to
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 8 - September, 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
David Gold
The boycott of Astra Pharmaceutical s widely used drug Xylocaine is in full swing with much publicity generated from the Amsterdam Conference. Many organizations and health care professionals have already signed on to the boycott, including Project Inform, Lamda Legal Defense, AIDS Project/LA, and the Swedish Lesbian a
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 8 - September, 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
Gabriel Torres, M.D.
The report which received most attention at the VIII International Conference on AIDS was a presentation describing several cases of severe immuno-deficiency in persons without detectable HIV at a Recent Reports session at the conference, Dr. Jeffrey Laurence of Cornell Medical Center reported five cases of immune supp
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 8 - September, 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
Gabriel Torres, M.D.
There are two types of HIV vaccines: therapeutic vaccines are designed to provoke an immune response in antibodies and cells in order to suppress HIV infection and halt disease progression; and preventive vaccines are meant to protect HIV-negative people from HIV infection. Dr. Dan Hoth of the National Institutes of Al
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 8 - September, 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies
Gabriel Torres, M.D.
While sensational stories such as HlV-negative AIDS (see side bar, page 5) stole media attention at the Netherlands-hosted International Conference on AIDS, science did manage to make an appearance at the conference. Treatment Issues will publish several reports in the upcoming editions on new data about antivirals, va
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 6 - July, 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental AIDS Therapies
Gabriel Torres, M.D.
Much of the Third European Conference on AIDS focused on the management and prophylaxis of opportunistic infections (OI). OI management has been a high priority research focus for European scientists over the past several years. This article will focus on some of the highlights of the conference regarding innovative tr
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 6 - July, 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental AIDS Therapies
Derek Link
It is now obvious to researchers, doctors, and people with AIDS that antiretroviral therapies like AZT , ddI and ddC may do little to repair immunity. Community interests have consequentially turned toward therapies that may restore immunity in people with damag
TREATMENT ISSUES: Special Edition - Volume 6, Number 7, Summer/Fall 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental AIDS Therapies
Garance Franke-Ruta
The human papillomavirus ( HPV ), a major cause of cervical cancer, is epidemic in the United States . Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix--the head and neck of the uterus. The cervix is round and sticks out from the back of the vagina; in its center is a small slit-like hole, called the os.
TREATMENT ISSUES: Special Edition - Volume 6, Number 7, Summer/Fall 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental AIDS Therapies
Garance Franke-Ruta and Mary Beth Caschetta*
* Tracy Morgan supplied some of the research for this article. We thank her for that effort. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a common, yet complicated, condition which affects the upper genital tract (the fallopian tubes, ovaries, endometrial lining of the uterus, and the ligaments surrounding the upper pelvic org
TREATMENT ISSUES: Special Edition - Volume 6, Number 7, Summer/Fall 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental AIDS Therapies
Janet L. Mitchell, M.D., M.P.H.
The incidence of syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, is increasing at a skyrocketing rate in the United States . In 1985 a flood of syphilis cases began and continues today--so much so that the current epidemic of syphilis has resulted in the highest rate of infection in the past 40 years. According to the New Yo
TREATMENT ISSUES: Special Edition - Volume 6, Number 7, Summer/Fall 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental AIDS Therapies
Sharon Lerner
The alarming increase of STDs in women in the U.S. comprises a significant and complicated epidemic. The presence of STDs may make HIV transmission easier and may cause HIV disease to progress more quickly. Additionally, STDs may be more difficult to treat in HIV-positive women. Some experts consider STDs a cofactor, o
TREATMENT ISSUES: Special Edition - Volume 6, Number 7, Summer/Fall 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental AIDS Therapies
Patricia Kelly, FNP
Fertility, or the ability to have children, is a consequence of both biology and behavior. Preliminary research does not indicate HIV affects either. This article will attempt to summarize the understanding of HIV infection and its interaction with reproductive health. Studies from the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Scotland hav
TREATMENT ISSUES: Special Edition - Volume 6, Number 7, Summer/Fall 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental AIDS Therapies
Risa Denenberg, FNP
For some time, women with HIV illness, health care providers, and activists have been concerned with the effects of HIV infection and treatment on women s hormones and the effects of hormones on HIV infection. Sex hormones are important because they make up the system responsible for regulating reproduction and sexual
TREATMENT ISSUES: Special Edition - Volume 6, Number 7, Summer/Fall 1992; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental AIDS Therapies
Scott Wilson & Brenda Lein
In 1982, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defined AIDS by pulling together a list of life-threatening disorders indicating severe immune deficiency from HIV disease. Since then the definition has been revised twice. Unfortunately, this list continues to exclude many HIV-related conditions common in women. This mea
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 5; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - May/June 1992
David Gold
New reports indicate that individuals who are using or considering oral alpha interferon should be wary about claims of efficacy. The AIDS Research Advisory Committee (ARAC) of the National Institutes of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) strongly recommend that patients seek alternatives to oral alpha interfero
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 5; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - May/June 1992
David Gold
The U..S. Senate voted to overturn the ban on federally funded research that uses fetal tissue from elective abortions. Researchers believe that fetal transplant research, in which healthy fetal cells are transplanted into diseased or dead cells, is among the most promising areas for rebuilding the immune system. The r
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 5; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - May/June 1992
David Gold
There are many reasons for wide fluctuations in absolute T4 cell counts. Now, according to new reports, we can add two more factors: laboratories and personnel. An abstract (#P84) released by Dr. Peddecord and colleagues at the 5th National Forum on AIDS, Hepatitis and Blood Borne Infections, 1992, found a wide dispari
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 5; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - May/June 1992
David Gold
The Community Research Initiative on AIDS (CRIA) has received funding from AmFAR and PTAAA (People Taking Action Against AIDS) for a trial to study the ability of the drug pentoxifylline to reduce levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). TNF is a protein naturally produced by the human body that is associated with wastin
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 5; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - May/June 1992
David Gold
Two dramatically different theories about the cause of Kaposi s Sarcoma KS) have recently been published. Researchers have long been puzzled over the common occurrence of KS in HlV-positive gay men as compared to people who were exposed to HIV through injecting drugs. One theory proposes that KS is caused by a strain o
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 5; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - May/June 1992
Mark Harrington
Cytomegalovirus ( CMV ) infection appears to hasten the progression of HIV-associated immune suppression.[1] A member of the herpes virus, CMV can cause sickness, blindness, wasting, and death in persons with under 50 T4 cells.[2] (see the April Treatment Issues CMV Treatment Update). Prophylaxis of CMV disease in pers
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 5; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - May/June 1992
Loren Couch
Mail order pharmacies have grown in popularity and are increasingly used by people with HIV/AIDS. Offering convenience, confidentiality, and discounted prescription drugs, these businesses provide free membership, toll-free customer service, refills, medication shipments, insurance billing, and opportunities to talk wi
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 5; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - May/June 1992
Michael Becker
A number of innovative therapies that attempt to stimulate the immune system are entering early stages of human testing. This article will review such immune therapies and discuss their potential role in treating HIV disease. Cellector Therapy The Cellector is a device made by Applied Immune Science (AIS) that stimulat
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 5; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - May/June 1992
David Gold
A small study conducted by Dr. Robert Yarchoan at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) compared the combination of AZT (300 mg/ day) and ddI (250 mg/day) to a regimen in which the drugs were alternated (AZT 600 mg/day for 3 weeks and then ddI 500 mg/day for three weeks).[1] Forty participants with AIDS or with symptomat
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6, Number 5; The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - May/June 1992
Gabriel Torres, M.D.
The Third European Conference on Clinical Aspects and Treatment of HIV Infection was held in Paris in March, 1992. The conference focused on treatment and prophylaxis of opportunistic infections and new research from trials using ddI and AZT . Most of the research studies presented were from Europe,
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6 no. 4 - April, 1992; Gay Men's Health Crisis
Greg Lugliani
Cytomegalovirus, a member of the herpes virus family, can cause severe infections in people with AIDS. The infection itself seems to hasten the progression of immune suppression caused by HIV in men.[1] Although studies of CMV in women are limited, one report showed that CMV was prevalent in women with inflammation of
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6 no. 4 - April, 1992; Gay Men's Health Crisis
Gabriel Torres, M.D.
FLT or 3 -deoxy-3 fluorothimi-dine is a new nucleoside analogue which has been under investigation for the treatment of HIV infection for several years. It has been touted as the most potent nucleoside analogue, and is 2-10 times more potent than AZT . Notably, it causes significant toxicity to the bone marrow, and
TREATMENT ISSUES, Volume 6 no. 4 - April, 1992; Gay Men's Health Crisis
Phillip Pierce
The development of prophylaxis (prevention of opportunistic infections) is desperately-needed in HIV treatment. While a variety of clinical trials are planned, or are currently in progress, an effective prophylaxis regimen has been documented only for one opportunistic infection (OI), namely, Pneumocystis carinii pneum
The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - Volume 6, Number 2 - February 1992
Derek Link
p24 antigen tests are not available through the New York City or State Departments of Health, and Wadsworth Labs by any formal mechanism, as was implied in last month s newsletter. Treatment Issues came to understand that doctors are sometimes able to get the test free for patients by requesting it along with an HlV-an
The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - Volume 6, Number 2 - February 1992
Derek Link
Activists are excited about reports of a promising anti-HIV and Kaposi s sarcoma therapy, which reactivates T8 cells. The treatment uses a device, developed by Applied Immune Science, which removes blood from the patient, activates T8 cells and infuses the blood back into the body along with Interleukin-2. In Phase I t
The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - Volume 6, Number 2 - February 1992
Derek Link
According to Abbott Labs, interim data from the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) study of clarithromycin for MAC treatment ( 1000 mg vs 2000 mg per day) show the drug is able to reduce the amount of mycobacteria in blood and to alleviate some symptoms. Both drug levels seem to be equally safe and effective. Developmen
The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - Volume 6, Number 2 - February 1992
Derek Link
AIDS activists have been negotiating with Abbott Labs for the past two months, urging the company to simplify its burdensome clarithromycin expanded access paperwork. Currently, Abbott plans to close the two existing expanded access protocols as soon as there are enough evaluable data to allow the company to apply for
The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - Volume 6, Number 2 - February 1992
Derek Link
Adria Labs, maker of rifabutin, has applied to the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) for a Treatment IND to make its drug available as a prophylactic treatment for Mycobacterium avium complex ( MAC ). The proposed Treatment IND would provide rifabutin free of charge to virtually any HIV-infected individual with T4 c
The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - Volume 6, Number 2 - February 1992
Gabriel Torres, M.D.
A growing body of evidence indicates that treatment for HIV infection will require a combination of more than one anti-HIV drug. Often the use of only one drug leads to the rapid development of resistance. Resistance occurs when an organism, such as a bacteria or virus, develops a way to avoid or counteract the effects
The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - Volume 6, Number 2 - February 1992
Derek Link
Dementia is an organic mental disorder defined as a loss of intellectual abilities interfering with a person s social or occupational function. AIDS dementia complex (ADC) is a complicated syndrome made up of different nervous system and mental symptoms found somewhat commonly in people with HIV-disease. The frequency
The Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Therapies - Volume 6, Number 2 - February 1992
Spencer Cox
Newly released data from Britain about the ability of acyclovir to prevent cytomegalovirus ( CMV ) recently caused a stir both in the U.S. and abroad. The British study showed that acyclovir ( Zovirax ) extends life for persons with HIV, but does not p
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