Active clinical trials for "Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome"

To test whether zidovudine (AZT) is useful as a treatment for the neurologic syndrome called AIDS dementia complex. To determine how long AZT takes to reach cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), how long, and at what concentration it is found there. HIV infection can result in impairment in the function of the brain and spinal cord, leading to disturbances in the ability to think clearly and in strength and coordination. This disorder, which has been called the AIDS dementia complex, may be due to a direct effect of HIV on the nervous system. It is known that AZT does get into the brain to some extent, where it may reduce growth of HIV. It is hoped that AZT will stabilize or improve the symptoms of the AIDS dementia complex.

PRIMARY: In Phase I, to define a broadly tolerable dose of isotretinoin that can be used in combination with interferon alfa-2a (IFN alfa-2a). In Phase II, to determine trends in efficacy of isotretinoin alone or in combination with IFN alfa-2a as chemoprevention (preventing progression or recurrence) of anal intraepithelial neoplasia ( AIN ) / squamous intraepithelial lesions ( SIL ) in patients with HIV infection. SECONDARY: To evaluate the effects of isotretinoin alone or in combination with IFN alfa-2a on immune function markers, human papillomavirus (HPV) type, and HPV DNA levels. Patients with HIV infection have a significant risk of recurrence following local ablation of intraepithelial neoplasia; thus, anogenital epithelial may become an increasingly important cause of morbidity, and possibly mortality, as the HIV epidemic matures. Clinical studies of non-HIV-infected subjects have established that synthetic retinoids inhibit the progression of epithelial preneoplastic conditions and some neoplastic states.

Disseminated infection with Mycobacteria avium complex (MAC) is one of the most common systemic bacterial infections in advanced stages of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Current therapy for disseminated MAC infection in HIV patients consists of multidrug chemotherapy regimens are often accompanied by toxicities, and many patients become intolerant of one or more agents. Macrolides are the essential component of successful therapy, yet macrolide resistant strains are being recognized with increasing frequency. Thus, there is an interest in identifying additional therapeutic interventions for disseminated MAC in HIV-infected patients. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a central, regulatory cytokine in cell-mediated immunity. IL-12 enhances the cytolytic activity of cytotoxic T and NK cells, and induces interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) production from T and NK cells. This open-label Phase I study is designed to evaluate the safety and immunologic/microbiologic effects of interleukin-12 administration in HIV-infected patients with concomitant disseminated Mycobacterium avium (MAC) infection. Fifteen patients with documented disseminated MAC will be randomized to receive double-blinded placebo or escalating doses of IL-12 in addition to anti-MAC chemotherapy and standard anti-retroviral therapy for six weeks. IL-12 will be administered subcutaneously, with escalating doses every month over the dose range of 30 ng/kg, 100 ng/kg, and 300 ng/kg, or until an individual maximum tolerated dose (IMTD) is reached. Should a patient receive 2 consecutive blood cultures negative for MAC during the course of the study at a lower dose, then he/she will not be further dose escalated. Those patients receiving placebo after 6 weeks will be crossed over to receive the full treatment course of IL-12. Each new dose or dose escalation will take place on an inpatient basis. Once a patient is clinically stable at a dose, the patient will be maintained at that dose as an outpatient for the remainder of the month. Total IL-12 administration will not exceed 12 weeks, or 24 total doses.

This is a randomized, double blind study of the safety and immunogenicity of APL 400-003, a plasmid DNA vaccine encoding the env and rev genes of HIV-1, in HIV-negative volunteers. Three doses of vaccine are being tested: 100, 300, and 1000 micro g. 8 volunteers per dose will be randomized: 6 to plasmid vaccine, and 2 to a vehicle control. Immunizations will be administered at day 0 and weeks 4 and 8, with a booster immunization administered at week 24. An additional 5 volunteers may be included in an open manner at the dose likely to be used in subsequent studies. The primary aims of the study are to determine: 1. the safety of APL 400-003, as evaluated by clinical and laboratory safety parameters and 2. the immunogenicity of APL 400-003, as determined by a broad range of laboratory assays. Up to 33 patients (allowing for drop-outs) will be enrolled in the study, and volunteers will be followed for one year after immunization.

The purpose of this study is to see if it is safe and effective to add 141W94 to an anti-HIV regimen that includes retrovir plus epivir.

To determine the safety and tolerance of various combinations of zidovudine (AZT) and didanosine (ddI) administered concurrently. To determine the pharmacokinetics of concurrent AZT and ddI administered orally. To evaluate the antiviral, immunologic and virologic effects of AZT and ddI administered concurrently.

To determine the safety and tolerance of 3 dosage levels of human anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) monoclonal antibody (SDZ MSL-109) when administered once every 2 weeks for a total of 8 doses during the maintenance phase of ganciclovir (DHPG) therapy to patients with AIDS and documented evidence of CMV retinitis. In addition for those patients with positive CMV cultures upon entry into this trial a preliminary attempt will be made to assess the potential in vivo antiviral effects of the concomitant administration of DHPG and SDZ MSL-109.

Primary: To determine whether the combination of zidovudine/zalcitabine/interferon alfa-n1 (Retrovir/HIVID/Wellferon) can produce complete responses (i.e., CD4 counts return to >= 800 cells/mm3 for more than 24 weeks) in patients with virus sensitive to all three agents. To determine the antiviral effect of the combination therapies as evidenced by measures of quantitative viral load performed at select study centers only. Secondary: To determine the effectiveness of Retrovir/HIVID and Retrovir/HIVID/Wellferon in maintaining or increasing CD4 counts and preventing disease progression as evidenced by the development of an AIDS-defining indicator disease. To determine the effect of these regimens on secondary measures of clinical status (e.g., performance score, weight change, and secondary infections) and on measures of virologic activity such as serum p24 antigen. To assess the safety and tolerance of these regimens.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of two doses of azithromycin given chronically for the treatment of Mycobacterium avium bacteremia in AIDS patients.

The purpose of this study is to see if it is safe to give a combination of four anti-HIV drugs to patients recently infected with HIV who have never received anti-HIV treatment. The effects of this combination of drugs on the immune system and the level of HIV in the body are studied also. The four-drug combination includes lamivudine, abacavir, amprenavir, and indinavir.