Effect of zidovudine on serum human immunodeficiency virus core antigen levels. Results from a placebo-controlled trial.
We assessed the effect of antiviral therapy on serum human immunodeficiency virus core antigen (HIV-Ag) levels in patients enrolled in the phase II trial on zidovudine for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex. Human immunodeficiency virus core antigen was detected in 45% of subjects at entry (59% with AIDS and 37% of patients with AIDS-related complex). Median HIV-Ag levels in zidovudine-treated subjects fell from 111 pg/mL at entry to 46 pg/mL at four weeks, while levels in placebo recipients did not change significantly. Decline in HIV-Ag in zidovudine recipients was sustained through 16 weeks of treatment and was significantly different from the placebo group. Anti-p24 antibody levels did not change in either group. We conclude that in patients with HIV-antigenemia changes in HIV-Ag level are an important marker of anti-retroviral activity.
Chaisson
R E
RE
Medical Service, San Francisco General Hospital.
Leuther
M D
MD
Allain
J P
JP
Nusinoff-Lehrman
S
S
Boone
G S
GS
Feigal
D
D
Volberding
P
P
D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D011897:Random Allocation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015488:HIV Antigens; D015215:Zidovudine