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INTERLEUKIN-2 INCREASES CD4 COUNT IN HIV INFECTION.

In vitro studies and limited clinical data suggest that interleukin-2, a T-cell-derived lymphokine, may favorably affect immunologic responses during HIV infection. In this study, NIH investigators treated 25 HIV-infected patients with 5-day continuous infusions of interleukin-2, given every 8 weeks for 7 to 25 months. All patients also received antiviral drugs. Six of 10 patients with baseline CD4 counts above 200 cubic millimeters showed sustained increases in the CD4 count (at least 50 percent above baseline). In several cases, the CD4 count rose into the range of 1000 to 3000. In contrast, 2 of 6 patients with CD4 counts between 100 and 200, and none of 6 patients with counts below 100, responded to interleukin-2 (three patients with counts below 200 were not evaluable). Side effects were considerable, frequently requiring dose reductions. Comment: Interleukin-2 boosts CD4 counts, particularly in patients with reasonably high counts. But it is also known to increase the plasma concentration of HIV in some cases. Obviously, the overall risks and benefits must be studied in long-term trials that examine clinical endpoints.

— AS Brett

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine March 14, 1995

Citation(s):

Kovacs JA, et al. Increases in CD4 lymphocytes with intermittent courses of interleukin-2 in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection: a preliminary study. N Engl J Med 1995 Mar 2 332 567-575.

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