A Phase II Study of Low-Dose Interleukin-2 by Subcutaneous Injection in Combination With Antiretroviral Therapy Versus Antiretroviral Therapy Alone in Patients With HIV-1 Infection and at Least 3 Months Stable Antiretroviral Therapy

Summary

PRIMARY: To examine the effect of aldesleukin ( IL-2 ) on viral activity in the blood. To determine the safety of low-dose IL-2 in combination with antiretroviral therapy versus antiretroviral therapy alone. SECONDARY: To examine delayed type hypersensitivity responses to skin test antigens and antibody responses to protein and polysaccharide vaccines. The profound immune impairment that results from HIV-1 infection is due, at least in part, to the loss of CD4+ T cells and the cytokines these cells secrete, especially IL-2 and interferon-gamma. Antiretroviral agents do not directly address the problem of immune impairment. Replacement of IL-2 at nontoxic doses may prevent or delay clinical immunosuppression and its attendant opportunistic infections. Also, since patients with HIV-1 infection respond suboptimally to routine protein and polysaccharide immunizations, IL-2 may provide an adjuvant effect on vaccine responses.

Timeline

Start

—

Primary completion

—

Completion

2002-03

Publications

• Background Vogler MA, Teppler H, Gelman R, Valentine F, Lederman MM, Pomerantz RJ, Pollard RB, Cherng DW, Gonzalez CJ, Squires KE, Frank I, Mildvan D, Mahon LF, Schock B; AIDS Clinical Trials Group 248 Study Team. Daily low-dose subcutaneous interleukin-2 added to single- or dual-nucleoside therapy in HIV infection does not protect against CD4+ T-cell decline or improve other indices of immune function: results of a randomized controlled clinical trial (ACTG 248). J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2004 May 1;36(1):576-87. doi: 10.1097/00126334-200405010-00005.

Drugs

Indications