Important note: Information in this article was accurate in December 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
 |
HIV Treatment Bulletin - Vol. 6, No. 1, December 2004 / January 2005
Graham McKerrow, HIV i-Base
An American study was designed to evaluate the effects of IL-2 and treatment interruptions (TI) on lipid and glucose metabolism.
The 47 subjects were randomised to receive or not three 5-day cycles of IL-2, 4.5 million units sc BID every 8 weeks (n=23 and 24 respectively) for 18 weeks. Then, they discontinued ARV treatment until CD4 count dropped below 350 cells/mm3.
Three cycles of IL-2 did not affect lipid or glucose metabolism. After 48 weeks of TI there were significant decreases of triglycerides (from 172 mg/dl, -20%, p < .001), total cholesterol (from 213 mg/dl, -15%, p <.001), HDL cholesterol (from 41 mg/dl, -16%, p < .001) and LDL cholesterol (126 mg/dl, -12%, p=0.008). There were no significant changes in glucose or insulin levels or HOMA-IR (reciprocal index of homeostasis model assessment). Lipid changes occurred relatively early after interruption (within the first 4 weeks).
The researchers concluded that 3 cycles of IL-2 did not have significant metabolic effects on patients receiving stable ARV therapy. However, structured TI is associated with immediate and sustained decreases in cholesterol levels (both LDL and HDL) and triglycerides (TG). The effects on glucose and insulin metabolism were limited in this cohort.
Tebas and colleagues write: “A strategy of intermittent therapy can decrease the cardiovascular risk associated with ARV therapy and provide insight into which of the metabolic abnormalities observed in treated patients are HIV or ARV related.”
Ref: Tebas P, Henry K, Cherng D et al. The metabolic effects of intermittent antiretroviral therapy with and without IL-2 (ACTG A5102). Antiviral Therapy 2004; 9:L13 Abstract 20.
041210
IB050601-14
©2004. I-BASE HIV Treatment Bulletin. Permission to reproduce courtesy of HIV i-Base, Third Floor East, Thrale House, 44-46 Southwark Street, London SE1 1UN - T: +44 (0) 20 7407 8488 F: +44 (0) 20 7407 8489
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Bridgestone / Firestone Trust, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2004. 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, 2004. 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.
