The potential role of interleukin-2 in HIV.
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a secretory cytokine produced by activated T cells that stimulates T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells to proliferate and release cytokines. In addition, IL-2 slows apoptosis of HIV-infected cells. Clinical studies have demonstrated that exogenous human recombinant IL-2 can be safely administered concurrently with potent antiretroviral therapy to HIV-infected patients. It was further demonstrated that recombinant human IL-2 therapy produces sustained increases in CD4+ cell number and function in patients with both early and late HIV disease. Further evaluation of the clinical efficacy of IL-2 in HIV-infected patients is expected to provide important information on the utility of recombinant human IL-2 in HIV disease.
Mitsuyasu
R T
RT
UCLA Center for Clinical AIDS Research and Education, University of California, Los Angeles 90095-1793, USA. rmitsuya@mednet.ucla.edu
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins