title: The immunomodulatory effects of thalidomide on human immunodeficiency virus-infected children.
abstract: The safety and immune effects of low-dose thalidomide treatment (3 mg/kg/day for 28 days) were evaluated in a study involving 8 South African human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children. The children were 7-69 months old and in disease stages A1-C3. Thalidomide therapy did not affect virus load, even though none of the children was receiving antiretroviral therapy. Thalidomide stimulated CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood, which increased expression of the activation markers CD38 and human leukocyte antigen DR and of the memory cell marker CD45RO. The frequency of HIV gag-specific CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood increased in 3 of 4 children who were evaluated during treatment with thalidomide. Clinical adverse events were mild. In this study, thalidomide was found to be safe and well tolerated and caused significant immunomodulation at a low dose. This is the first report describing use of an oral drug that may enhance HIV-specific CD8+ T cell function in HIV-infected children.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular Physiology and Immunology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave., New York, NY 10021, USA. hanekow@rockefeller.edu
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Hanekom
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Haslett
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Apolles
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ganiso
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Allin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goddard
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Hussey
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D013792:Thalidomide