title: Clinical and virological effects of high-dose recombinant interferon-alpha in disseminated AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.
abstract: The effectiveness and antiretroviral activities of interferon-alpha in AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma was assessed in a non-randomised, phase-II clinical trial. 28 patients were treated with high-dose (27-36 MU) human recombinant interferon-alpha 2a subcutaneously every day for 8 weeks. In patients with stable disease or showing a response, treatment was continued three times weekly until a complete response was achieved or there was progression. 12 of the 26 evaluable patients achieved a major response; 5 of these showed histologically confirmed complete responses. There was a significant increase in OKT4-positive cells in the responders and a significant decrease in HIV antigen (HIV-Ag) in the 7 responders with initially detectable HIV-Ag. Interferon-alpha is thus an effective treatment. The increase in OKT4-positive cells and the decrease in HIV-Ag seem to be significantly related to patients with tumour responses.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015488:HIV Antigens; D007370:Interferon Type I; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins