Outrunning HIV to protect immune defenses
Gilden, D.
Gmhc Treatment Issues the Gay Men's Health Crisis Newsletter of Experimental Aids Therapies 10(11): 1-5
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 1077-1824 PMID: 11364008 Document Number: 463212
Research indicates that a deficient immune system plays a central role in allowing HIV disease progression. Boosting the immune system response or restoring it as immune defenses degrade appears to be an appropriate therapeutic option. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) may help stabilize and reinforce available immunity by increasing the numbers and concentration of existing cells. Unfortunately, high doses of IL-2 cause severe adverse side effects. Changing dosage regimens as the therapy progresses and using different forms of drug administration are being studied. In addition, IL-2 trials, with one possible exception, have not yielded decreases in HIV levels, nor a transitory increase in people not on anti-HIV medications. Researchers suggest that IL-2 therapy, which increases CD4 cells (the virus' "food supply"), would naturally lead to increased levels of HIV. Additionally, there is scant evidence that IL-2 therapy reduces occurrences of opportunistic disease. Laboratory tests indicate that, over the long-run, IL-2 could expand any rare CD4 cells that already exist to produce detectable responses to antigens where previously none existed. The chances of this occurring would be increased if HIV levels were suppressed to the maximum possible using the new highly active antiretroviral therapy drug combinations.