title: Interleukin-2 therapy in HIV infection.
abstract: Immune cells secrete a variety of cytokines that have a profoundly significant influence on the immune system. For example, cytokines secreted by T-helper cells have a role in cellular immune response (Th1 cytokines) and in antibody production (Th2 cytokines). Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is used therapeutically for immune modulation, most specifically in cancer therapy. The following report describes the mechanisms of IL-2/IL-2 receptor interaction and summarizes the rationale for using IL-2 in HIV-infected patients and briefly describes recent and ongoing clinical trails using IL-2 in HIV/AIDS disease (intravenous IL-2 therapy and subcutaneous IL-2 therapy). In one study of patients with moderate stage HIV disease, subjects taking a maximum tolerated dose of IL-2 at 12 to 15 MIU/day demonstrated durable increases in CD4 counts and a near normal return in value. Relative to the published reports, low circulating CD4 counts and high HIV viral burden appeared to be independent determinants of a poor response to IL-2. However, aggressive combination therapy with IL-2 and highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART)(e.g., ACTG 328) holds promise for an improved immune restorative response even in patients with advanced disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, North Shore University Hospital-New York University School of Medicine, Manhasset, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pahwa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morales
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2