Inhibition of HIV progression by dithiocarb. German DTC Study Group.
60 patients with HIV-1 infection in Walter Reed stages 2-4 were randomised to treatment with intravenous or oral dithiocarb (diethyldithiocarbamate, DTC) or placebo for 24 weeks in a paired double-blind design. 55 patients were evaluable at the end of the study: no patient who had received DTC but 6 placebo patients had AIDS, a significant difference. Significantly delayed disease progression was observed in the intravenous DTC group compared with its matching placebo. The benefit in the oral DTC group was not statistically significant. During an 18-month follow-up 3 deaths occurred in the original placebo groups, whereas no patient who had initially received DTC died. A significant delay in progression to AIDS was observed in the DTC groups.
Reisinger
E C
EC
Clinical Department, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, West Germany.
Kern
P
P
Ernst
M
M
Bock
P
P
Flad
H D
HD
Dietrich
M
M
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D004050:Ditiocarb / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D004050:Ditiocarb