Active clinical trials for "Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome"

The purpose of this study is to see if observed therapy can help HIV-positive patients stick to their anti-HIV medication schedule. Observed therapy means that a nurse will watch patients take their medications to make sure that they take them correctly. It is very important that HIV-positive patients take their anti-HIV medications correctly so they get the best possible benefit from them. Taking the drugs correctly, called "adherence," may keep HIV virus levels in the blood (viral load) low for a longer time. Adherence can also slow the development of drug resistance, and this is especially important in patients with early HIV infection who are just beginning treatment. However, anti-HIV medication schedules are often complicated, and many patients have difficulty remembering to take their drugs at the correct time. This study will look at the effectiveness of a plan to help patients with this problem.

To assess the steady state pharmacokinetic features, tolerance, and safety of orally administered 1592U89, given alone or in combination with other antiretroviral medications, in HIV infected infants and children. To establish doses of 1592U89 appropriate for future pediatric Phase II/III clinical trials. On the basis of the preclinical and clinical studies, 1592U89 appears to be a promising agent for treatment of HIV infection in children, either as an alternative to currently employed agents, or in combination therapy regimens. A liquid formulation of the drug is available; thus concurrent development of 1592U89 for children and adults is possible.

The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of low doses of cyclosporine (CsA) in patients with early HIV infection and to evaluate its effect on the immune system. Activation of T cells (cells of the immune system) leads to HIV replication. Inhibition of immune activation is therefore a potentially important area of therapy for patients with early HIV infection. CsA is capable of decreasing T cell activation, which in turn may decrease HIV replication.

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of various combinations of anti-HIV drugs in HIV-positive men and women. Patients receive specific combinations of 3 or 4 of the following 6 drugs: didanosine (ddI), stavudine (d4T) efavirenz (EFV), nelfinavir (NFV), lamivudine (3TC), or zidovudine (ZDV). Anti-HIV therapy is effective in preventing the spread of HIV in the body. However, patients often experience unpleasant side effects and have difficulties following the dosing schedule. This study looks for combinations of anti-HIV drugs ("cocktails") which will be the most effective with the fewest problems.

Primary: To determine the efficacy of early treatment with zidovudine (AZT) in HIV-infected asymptomatic infants. To determine the safety and tolerance of AZT in this patient population. Secondary: To compare the virologic and immunologic parameters between the treatment groups. To determine the efficacy of AZT as an early treatment to prevent development of CD4+ cell depletion in HIV-infected asymptomatic infants. AZT is currently indicated for primary treatment in children with HIV-associated signs and symptoms and for those with significant immunodeficiency. This study will attempt to determine whether early treatment with AZT prevents the development of symptoms in HIV-infected infants who are asymptomatic.

To determine the safety and efficacy of two doses of interferon alfa-2a ( IFN alfa-2a ) in combination with zidovudine ( AZT )/zalcitabine ( ddC ) versus AZT/ddC only in patients with HIV infection and CD4 count < 400 cells/mm3. AZT and ddC inhibit HIV by acting as reverse transcriptase chain terminators, while IFN alfa-2a inhibits translation of viral proteins. Combining agents that act at different sites of viral replication may improve HIV inhibition and produce more effective and sustained anti-HIV effects.

To study the anti-HIV activity of the various doses of Ro 24-7429 monotherapy based on virologic and immunologic endpoints. To study the safety and tolerance of Ro 24-7429. To explore relationships between exposure to Ro 24-7429 and its metabolites and antiviral activity and drug toxicity. To determine a safe, tolerable, and active dose regimen of Ro 24-7429, and to make preliminary observations of Ro 24-7429 in combination with another antiretroviral nucleoside. The HIV genome contains a number of genes that regulate viral replication. Control of the activity of these genes and their encoded proteins represents a potential target for development of new antiretroviral drugs. The tat (transactivator of transcription of HIV) antagonist Ro 24-7429 is the first compound for clinical testing that utilizes this approach for therapy of HIV infection.

PRIMARY: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of thalidomide for treatment of oral and esophageal aphthous ulcers (those unrelated to a known infection or malignancy) in patients with advanced HIV disease. To evaluate the effect of thalidomide on HIV load in this patient population. Per 06/28/94 amendment, to evaluate the effectiveness of thalidomide in preventing recurrences in patients whose aphthae completely heal at the end of acute treatment. SECONDARY: To evaluate the effect of thalidomide on blood tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels and to obtain pharmacokinetic data on the drug. Per 06/28/94 amendment, to evaluate the safety of thalidomide. Per 05/10/95 amendment, to explore in a substudy the effects of thalidomide on idiopathic genital aphthous ulcers in HIV-infected women. Aphthous ulcers of the mouth or esophagus can interfere with eating, resulting in malnutrition and wasting. Thalidomide has been proposed as an effective therapy for severe forms of aphthous ulceration in AIDS patients.

To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of amitriptyline hydrochloride versus mexiletine hydrochloride in reducing pain intensity in patients with HIV-related painful peripheral neuropathy. No large-scale controlled clinical trials of symptomatic therapy for painful HIV-related neuropathy have been attempted. Both amitriptyline and mexiletine have been useful in the management of painful neuropathies; however, both are associated with certain toxicities. In this comparative study of amitriptyline and mexiletine, benztropine mesylate also will be included as an active placebo to mimic the side effects of the study drugs.

To assess the safety and tolerance of multiple oral doses of nevirapine in combination with zidovudine (AZT); to get information on the pharmacokinetics (blood levels) and dose proportionality of nevirapine/AZT with multiple dosing; to characterize the pattern of virological activity in vivo (in humans) of nevirapine in combination with AZT; to determine whether development of resistance to either drug is slowed by the use of the combination. Drugs now used in treatment for patients with AIDS show some toxicity which limits their usefulness. In addition, with long-term treatment with AZT, there is evidence of virus resistance to the drug. Compounds that are more effective and less toxic than those in present use would be beneficial, especially if they are active against AZT-resistant viruses. Nevirapine has shown in vitro (test tube studies) activity in inhibiting HIV replication (reproduction). In vitro studies have shown that nevirapine and AZT work together to inhibit HIV replication.