(RITA!) HIV Treatment Alerts - February 2001
 

Interleukin-2 (IL-2), also known as T cell growth factor, is being studied as an immune-boosting therapy for people with HIV. There's no question that IL-2 raises T cell counts; the only question is whether those increases translate into what physicians call a clinical benefit. In other words, do people with IL-2-induced increases in their T cell count live any longer or have fewer illnesses than people without the increases? That's important to find out, especially since IL-2 is expensive and its side effects are harsh.

Currently, 2 large studies of IL-2 are underway. Both of these trials are randomized, clinical endpoint studies. Volunteers are randomized (assigned by chance) to receive IL-2 or not to receive it. Researchers will follow the volunteers for several years and count the clinical endpoints—illnesses and death—to determine if the IL-2 patients have a clinical benefit.

SILCAAT STUDY

To participate in this trial, you must have a T cell count between 50 and 299. Your viral load must be less than 10,000 copies, you cannot be pregnant, and you should not have taken IL-2 before. Other important criteria also apply. To learn more about this study, visit www.silcaat.com on the Internet. For local information, call:

Hilda Cuervo
University of Texas Medical School
713.500.6751

ESPRIT

To participate in this trial, your T cell count must be 300 or higher. You must be taking anti-HIV meds or be willing to take them. You can have no history of AIDS-related illnesses, you cannot be pregnant, and you should not have taken IL-2 before. Other important criteria also apply. To learn more about this study, visit www.espritstudy.org. For local information, call one of the following sites:

Hilda Cuervo
University of Texas Medical School
713.500.6751

Brian Bell
Montrose Clinic
713.830.3011

Kathy Breaux, PA
VA Medical Center
713.794.7943 (accepting veterans only)

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Copyright © 2001 - Research Initiative Treatment Action (RITA!). Reproduced with permission. RITA! is published by The Center for AIDS. Contact Thomas Gegeny, MS, ELS, Editor, RITA! for permission to reproduce RITA!. tom@centerforaids.org. http://www.centerforaids.org

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