title: Interleukin-2 for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection.
abstract: Notwithstanding the significant impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated morbidity and mortality, HAART-induced immune restitution is not complete. The potential utility of interleukin (IL)-2 to augment immune function has been extensively evaluated. Intravenous or subcutaneous IL-2 has been conclusively shown to induce significant increases in CD4 cell counts in HIV-infected patients, in particular when given concomitantly with HAART. Large randomized clinical trials are underway to investigate whether these CD4 cell increments will result in tangible clinical benefits.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. temesgen.zelalem@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Zelalem
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Temesgen
mesh_terms: D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2