A Phase I, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Escalation Study of the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Thalidomide in Subjects With HIV-1 Infection

Summary

PRIMARY: To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of daily oral thalidomide. SECONDARY: To examine the effect of thalidomide on antiviral activity and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production, and the correlation between TNF-alpha inhibition and viral burden. A protein in the blood called tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) is abnormally elevated in patients with HIV infection and may cause the body to produce more virus. In vitro studies have demonstrated that thalidomide reduces TNF-alpha levels and inhibits production of HIV. However, more information on the pharmacological and immunological aspects of thalidomide is needed.

Timeline

Start

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Primary completion

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Completion

2000-07

Publications

• Background Wohl D, Pomerantz R, Schmitz J, Aweeka F, Fox L, Weng D, Spritzler J, Robinson W, Holohan M, Teppler H. Thalidomide pharmacokinetics (PK) safety and effect on HIV viral load and immune parameters. 8th Conf Retro and Opportun Infect. 2001 Feb 4-8 (abstract no 352)
• Background Wohl DA, Aweeka FT, Schmitz J, Pomerantz R, Cherng DW, Spritzler J, Fox L, Simpson D, Bell D, Holohan MK, Thomas S, Robinson W, Kaplan G, Teppler H; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases AIDS Clinical Trials Group 267. Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic effects of thalidomide in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus: AIDS Clinical Trials Group 267. J Infect Dis. 2002 May 1;185(9):1359-63. doi: 10.1086/340133. Epub 2002 Apr 16.

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