Use of recombinant interferon-alpha in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals.
OBJECTIVE
Interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) has anti-retroviral activity and is a possible HIV infection-limiting factor. The aim of this work is to prevent or delay disease progression in asymptomatic Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) carriers.


METHODS
Recombinant IFN alpha-2b (3 x 10(6) IU 3 times weekly) was compared to no treatment (control) in a randomized trial. Endpoints were: (i) appearance of any CDC group IV symptoms and (ii) disease progression (which excluded shifts to group IVC2 or reversible IVA, or IVB). The trial lasted from October 1987 to February 1992.


METHODS
The trial was performed at the "Santiago de las Vegas" sanatorium, a specialized institution for the care of HIV-infected and AIDS patients.


METHODS
Subjects were anti-HIV-1 seropositive, Western blot-confirmed, asymptomatic (CDC group II), or with generalized lymphadenopathies (CDC group III). The groups had 79 (control) and 71 (IFN) patients.


RESULTS
Long-term IFN-alpha treatments significantly reduced the proportion of patients who shifted to any group IV (control: 46/79; IFN: 14/71; p < 0.001) or developed AIDS (control: 27/79; IFN: 12/71; p < 0.05). IFN also delayed progression to AIDS (95% confidence interval for 0.5 probability of progression) from 67-83 to 116-180 months after infection. The IFN group had significantly less opportunistic infections and non-infectious complications. CD4 cell count and hemoglobin decreased in the control but not in the IFN group. Fewer IFN-treated patients developed positive serum HIV antigen detection.


CONCLUSIONS
IFN alpha treatment during the early stages of infection seems to be beneficial to the patients.
Rivero
J
J
Santiago de las Vegas Sanatorium, Havana, Cuba.
Limonta
M
M
Aguilera
A
A
Fraga
M
M
López Saura
P
P
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins