Document 0464
 DOCN  M9550464
 TI    Interferons in HIV and related diseases.
 DT    9505
 AU    Lane HC; National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases,
       Bethesda,; Maryland 20892.
 SO    AIDS. 1994 Sep;8 Suppl 3:S19-23. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/95142949
 AB    BACKGROUND: Since interferon-alpha has a very broad spectrum of activity
       it has been investigated in several clinical settings in the
       HIV-infected population. KAPOSI'S SARCOMA: The rate of response to
       interferon-alpha is low in patients with low CD4 cell counts, but
       response rates of over 45% have been achieved in patients with higher
       counts. PRIMARY THERAPY IN HIV INFECTION: In 34 asymptomatic patients,
       the overall percentage of CD4 cells was higher in patients taking
       interferon-alpha compared to those taking a placebo and the rate of
       opportunistic infections was lower after a long-term follow-up. A
       relatively high dose of interferon-alpha was associated with predictable
       side effects. Lower doses have been used in combination with zidovudine.
       In a recent trial, 180 patients took either zidovudine alone,
       interferon-alpha alone or both drugs in combination. So far, the CD4
       cell counts have been similar in all treatment groups. HEPATITIS
       INFECTION: The rate of response shown by hepatitis B infection to
       interferon-alpha in patients with both hepatitis B and HIV has been
       reported as less than that in patients without HIV infection. Overall,
       studies have shown that approximately 37% of patients are cleared of
       hepatitis B DNA with 3 months of interferon-alpha treatment, compared
       with a 17% rate of spontaneous clearance. Among hepatitis C patients,
       50-75% show a reduction in serum transaminases with 3 months of
       treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Interferon-alpha is of benefit in some
       HIV-infected patients, demonstrating efficacy in Kaposi's sarcoma,
       hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
 DE    AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/*THERAPY  Clinical Trials
       Combined Modality Therapy  Comparative Study  CD4 Lymphocyte Count
       Hepatitis B/*THERAPY  Human  HIV Infections/COMPLICATIONS/*THERAPY
       Randomized Controlled Trials  Sarcoma, Kaposi's/ETIOLOGY/*THERAPY
       Zidovudine/THERAPEUTIC USE  JOURNAL ARTICLE  REVIEW  REVIEW, TUTORIAL

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