title: [Cytokine therapies in HIV infection].
abstract: The theoretical objectives of cytokine therapies in HIV infection are to impact T cell homeostasis and/or to improve immune functions or the mobilization of the HIV reservoir. Among cytokines, IL-2 and IL-7 are promising agents under clinical evaluation. Intermittent administration of IL-2 is by far the furthest studied strategy in HIV infection. This cytokine increases CD4 T lymphocytes in HIV-infected individuals. Recent clinical data showed that this effect is sustained over years. IL-2 therapy induces a peripheral expansion of T cells as a consequence of prolonged survival of T cells and decreased immune activation. These effects suggest that a cytokine therapy may interfere with critical factors of HIV disease. Recent data provide arguments that IL-2 therapy improves immune functions in HIV-infected patients. Whether these effects may be translated into clinical benefits is under evaluation in ongoing phase III studies. The potential interest of IL-7 in the treatment of HIV-infection is based on its crucial role on T cell homeostasis both in thymic output and peripheral T proliferation and survival. Although no data in human are still available, recent studies provide arguments to assess this cytokine in HIV infection. Phase I studies are ongoing or planned.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Immunologie Clinique, Hôpital Henri-Mondor, 51, avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 94010 Créteil Cedex, France. yves.levy@hmn.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lévy
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D015851:Interleukin-7 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D015851:Interleukin-7