Document 2788
 DOCN  M94A2788
 TI    Thalidomide for treatment of aphthous ulcers in patients with HIV.
 DT    9412
 AU    Ball SC; Sepkowitz KA; Jacobs JL; Center for Special Studies, New York
       Hospital-Cornell Medical; Center, New York.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):224 (abstract no. PB0327). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94369787
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of thalidomide(Tmd) for treatment of
       aphthous ulcers(AU) in patients with HIV. METHODS: Case report and
       review of the English literature by Medline search. RESULTS: We recently
       successfully treated a 31 year old woman with CD4 10/mm and AU
       refractory to steroid therapy with 400 mg/d of Tmd. Eight reports from
       the literature identified 25 additional patients (22M, 3F) treated with
       Tmd for AU. The dose of Tmd ranged from 100-400 mg/day. All patients had
       marked improvement. Four (31%) of 13 patients reported relapsed 3 weeks
       to 5 months after drug discontinuation. Side effects noted were
       drowsiness(4), neuropathy(2) and hypersensitivity(3), all of which
       resolved with lowering or discontinuing the dose. CD4 counts reported in
       12 patients ranged from 4-372/mm (median 188). CONCLUSION: Our
       experience confirms what has been reported in the literature. Although
       no placebo-controlled studies have been done, Tmd appears to be useful
       in the treatment of AU in patients with HIV. The etiology of AU remains
       uncertain. Full evaluation, including viral/fungal cultures and biopsies
       should be done on all patients. In carefully monitored patients Tmd may
       represent an important treatment option.
 DE    Adult  Drug Evaluation  Female  Human  HIV Infections/*COMPLICATIONS
       Male  Stomatitis, Aphthous/COMPLICATIONS/*DRUG THERAPY
       Thalidomide/ADVERSE EFFECTS/*THERAPEUTIC USE  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).