Response to treatment with the leukocyte-derived immunomodulator IMREG-1 in immunocompromised patients with AIDS-related complex: a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Article Abstract:

The human immune response involves an array of cells that must communicate with one another through both direct contact and the secretion of special chemical substances. These substances, called immunomodulators, also occur in a wide variety, but share the ability to alter the function of immune system cells. Medical researchers are enthusiastic that one day immunomodulators may be useful in treating many diseases, including cancer and AIDS. Patients with AIDS are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The infection is without symptoms at first, and only after years of silent progression does the patient suffer an infection or condition which then warrants the diagnosis of AIDS. A study was conducted to determine if a recently discovered immunomodulator, IMREG-1, might serve to slow the progression of HIV infection to AIDS. All 143 patients participating in the study had AIDS-related complex (ARC). ARC is a condition in which the patient has begun to experience immune-related symptoms, but does not yet meet all the diagnostic criteria for AIDS. (Patients with ARC may, on the average, be expected to progress to AIDS in less than a year.) Forty-eight patients were given a placebo, and 95 patients were given IMREG-1 biweekly for 26 weeks. At the end of the trial period, 5 of the 95 patients treated with IMREG-1 developed an AIDS-related infection, Kaposi's sarcoma, wasting, or other AIDS-related condition. In contrast, 12 of 48 placebo-treated patients developed an AIDS-related condition during the same period. Blood tests conducted during the course of the study showed that the patients treated with IMREG-1 suffered a slower loss of CD4+ T cells, indicating that the observed decrease in progression of disease is likely to be due to the direct effects of IMREG-1 on immune system function. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Development and progression, AIDS (Disease), Immune response, Immune response regulation, AIDS-related complex, Biological response modifiers

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Recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of anemia associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and zidovudine therapy: overview of four clinical trials

Article Abstract:

Recombinant (genetically engineered) human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) may be an effective and safe treatment for anemia in AIDS patients who are being treated with zidovudine (AZT). Treatment with zidovudine may increase the likelihood of anemia in AIDS patients or patients with AIDS related complex. Of 255 AIDS patients with anemia who were being treated with zidovudine, 125 were treated with 100 to 200 U of r-HuEPO per kilogram of body weight and 130 were treated with a placebo, an inactive substance. Among patients with 500 IU of natural erythropoietin per liter of blood or less, those treated with r-HuEPO required fewer blood transfusions and had a larger increase in their hematocrit (percentage of red blood cells) than those who received a placebo. Treatment with r-HuEPO had no effect on patients with more than 500 IU of natural erythropoietin per liter of blood.

Anemia, Complications and side effects, Erythropoietin, Recombinant, Recombinant erythropoietin

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Zalcitabine compared with zidovudine in patients with advanced HIV-1 infection who received previous zidovudine therapy

Article Abstract:

Zalcitabine may not be more effective than zidovudine (AZT) for treating patients with advanced HIV-1 infection who have had previous treatment with zidovudine. Among 111 patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex who had been treated with zidovudine for 48 weeks or more, 52 were treated with 2.25 milligrams (mg) of zalcitabine per day and 59 were treated with 500 to 1,200 mg of zidovudine per day. The average length of treatment for patients in the zalcitabine group was 279 days, compared with 175 for patients in the zidovudine group. The estimated 12-month survival rate for patients treated with zalcitabine was 81%, compared to 75% for those treated with zidovudine. An estimated 53% of the patients in the zalcitabine group did not have any AIDS-related illnesses over a 12-month period, compared to an estimated 57% of those in the zidovudine group.

Zalcitabine

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