Rapid effect of interleukin-2 therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients whose CD4 cell counts increase only slightly in response to combined antiretroviral treatment.
Combined antiretroviral treatment in some human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons does not lead to a rapid increase in CD4 cell counts, and these patients may remain susceptible to opportunistic infections. A group of 13 patients with CD4 cell counts <200 cells/mm3 after > or =9 months of combined antiretroviral treatment received interleukin (IL)-2 immunotherapy (4.5x106 IU twice daily for 5 days every 6 weeks). After only 3 cycles, their CD4 cell counts increased from 123 cells/mm3 (range, 104-134 cells/mm3) to 229 cells/mm3 (range, 176-244 cells/mm3). A marked increase was noted in the naive CD45RA subpopulation of CD4 T lymphocytes. Furthermore, the magnitude of the CD4 cell count response correlated with the baseline expression levels of the antiapoptotic molecule Bcl-2. This study demonstrates that IL-2 immunotherapy can accelerate the recovery of CD4 lymphocytes in persons whose CD4 cell counts fail to increase rapidly in response to combined antiretroviral treatment.
David
D
D
Unité d'Immunogénétique Cellulaire, Institut Pasteur, 25 and 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris cedex 15, France.
Naït-Ighil
L
L
Dupont
B
B
Maral
J
J
Gachot
B
B
Thèze
J
J
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens