title: Subcutaneous administration of interleukin-2 in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected persons.
abstract: The safety and efficacy were assessed of 5-day cycles of subcutaneous (sc) interleukin-2 (IL-2) every 8 weeks in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected outpatients with >200 CD4 cells/mm3. Immunologic, virologic, and toxicity parameters were measured in 18 patients receiving standard antiretrovirals plus 5-day courses of sc IL-2 (3-18 MIU/day) every 2 months. Systemic toxicities established the maximally tolerated dose (MTD) of IL-2 as 15 MIU/day. CD4 cell responses appeared to correlate directly with baseline CD4 cell counts, with several patients experiencing a dramatic rise after 3 cycles. Virus load increased only transiently in the peri-injection period. It was concluded that serial cycles of outpatient sc IL-2 can be administered safely, with an MTD of 15 MIU/day. Patients with higher baseline counts appear to have a greater CD4 cell response to sc IL-2 therapy.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1880, USA.
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Chaitt
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Piscitelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Falloon
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Polis
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Metcalf
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Masur
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fyfe
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lane
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2