Active clinical trials for "AIDS-Related Complex"

To study the tolerance and toxicity of the combination of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferon gamma (IFN-G) or as single agent TNF or IFN-G in HIV infected patients. To selectively monitor the immune system of AIDS related complex (ARC) patients who receive either combination therapy or TNF or IFN-G alone. To obtain information on the effectiveness of combination therapy or TNF or IFN-G alone against HIV in ARC patients. Recombinant TNF and recombinant IFN-G have been shown to be effective against the virus which causes AIDS and ARC in some laboratory studies, but may increase virus replication in other laboratory studies. Previous studies in humans showed no increase in virus cultures and some decrease in measurements of virus. Extensive preclinical data show that TNF and IFN-G are more effective together than separately in laboratory and animal studies. As single agents, both TNF and IFN-G have modest effect against HIV. Studies have demonstrated that TNF and IFN-G, in combination, can not only inhibit HIV infection of previously uninfected cells, but also can selectively induce the destruction of acutely infected target cells.

To determine the safety and efficacy of erythropoietin administered to patients with AIDS or advanced AIDS related complex ARC and anemia.

To determine the safety profile and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of recombinant soluble human CD4 (rCD4) therapy in patients with AIDS or AIDS related complex (ARC). To obtain a preliminary indication of the antiviral effects of rCD4 in patients with AIDS and ARC. To measure steady state serum levels of rCD4 following continuous infusion therapy.

The objective is to determine the effect of Isoprinosine (inosine pranobex) in homosexual male patients with AIDS related complex (ARC) in delaying the onset of AIDS. Secondly, to determine the effect of Isoprinosine in decreasing the severity and/or incidence of lesser opportunistic infections and/or other conditions associated with ARC.

Primary: To determine the clinical effect of zidovudine (AZT) compared to placebo in terms of time to progression to AIDS (i.e., occurrence of major opportunistic infections, dementia, and malignancies) or death. Initial drug assignment will be changed to open-label AZT for patients who experience a sustained decline in CD4 lymphocyte concentration to less than 200 cells/mm3, but analysis will be based on initial treatment assignment. To determine the immunologic effect of AZT compared to placebo in terms of time to drop in CD4 lymphocyte concentration of at least 25 percent from baseline assessment. To determine the antiviral effect of AZT compared to placebo in eradicating or suppressing HIV. Secondary: To determine the effect of AZT compared to placebo on the immune status of HIV-infected patients by comparing lymphocyte profiles and indices. To determine the long-term toxicities of AZT compared to placebo in terms of abnormalities in BL, hepatic function, renal function, skin, gastrointestinal system, and central nervous system. To describe the natural history of AIDS related complex (ARC) in placebo patients in terms of initial CD4 lymphocyte concentration and the Walter Reed staging system.

To determine the toxic effects of AS-101 at various doses in patients with AIDS or AIDS related complex. Also to determine the effect of various doses of AS-101 on immune functions and the occurrence of infections in these patients. AIDS is a viral disease that is characterized by a loss of some immune function and the development of frequent, eventually fatal, infectious diseases. Although zidovudine (AZT) has prolonged survival in some patients with AIDS, AZT is quite toxic and there is a need for more effective and less toxic drugs. AS-101 is a synthetic organic compound containing the metal tellurium that is being tested because in laboratory studies it improved immune functions.

To determine if methadone treatment will affect the blood levels of zidovudine (AZT) in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC) who are receiving oral AZT and methadone therapy. In addition, the blood levels of methadone both before and during AZT treatment will be studied, and patients receiving daily oral methadone treatment will be evaluated for signs of narcotic withdrawal during treatment with AZT. The number of deaths due to AIDS in high-risk populations continues to increase. Nationwide approximately 25 percent of AIDS patients are intravenous (IV) drug abusers, and it is very likely that an increasingly larger number of AIDS patients receiving AZT therapy will have had a history of IV drug abuse. The major chemical treatment for IV drug abuse is daily methadone maintenance therapy, and IV drug abusers who are HIV positive represent a large number of patients who will undergo long-term treatment with both methadone and AZT. Therefore, the study of potential drug interactions is essential.

To study the safety and pharmacokinetics (blood levels) of recombinant human CD4 immunoglobulin (rCd4-IgG) in patients with AIDS or AIDS related complex (ARC) who have failed or declined therapy with zidovudine (AZT). An additional goal of the study is to obtain a preliminary indication of the antiviral effects of Cd4-IgG in patients with AIDS or ARC. Other approaches in addition to existing treatment of HIV infection need to be evaluated. One approach may be to block HIV infection by interrupting the assembly of the virus within the cell or the budding of virus from the membrane of the infected cell. In addition, blocking the attachment of HIV to its cellular receptor may offer another point of attack. HIV binds to the CD4 receptor on the target T4 lymphocyte and the envelope glycoprotein of the virus (gp120) is capable of high affinity binding to CD4. Any agent that prevents the attachment of gp120 to the CD4 receptor should be able to block virus transmission and spread. Recently, scientists have succeeded in producing highly purified recombinant soluble human CD4. Recombinant CD4 is capable of binding to HIV envelope protein (gp120) and inhibiting HIV infectivity in test tube studies. Potential therapeutic benefit in patients with HIV infection could be derived from either or both of these biologic effects. In order to extend the length of time that rCD4 stays in the body, the compound has been modified by combining it with a human immunoglobulin of the IgG1 class (IgG).

To determine the safety, pharmacokinetics (blood levels), and effectiveness of didanosine (ddI) when administered both intravenously and orally. After the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined, an appropriate dosage regimen will then be established for Phase II and Phase III trials. Zidovudine (AZT) has produced the best clinical results in the drug therapy of AIDS to date, but it produces toxicity in approximately 50 percent of patients. Early data show that ddI possesses high antiviral activity and less toxicity than AZT. The most effective route and dose of ddI has yet to be determined.

Several dideoxynucleosides have now been shown to have activity against HIV but to have different toxicities. This study will involve therapy of patients with AIDS or ARC with two of these agents, AZT and 2', 3'-dideoxyinosine (ddI), which have different toxicity profiles, over a 2-year period of time. The rationale for using the two drugs will be to reduce toxicity and also possibly to delay or prevent the development of resistance. Patients will be randomized to receive either an alternating regimen or a continuous simultaneous regimen with these two drugs. The study will be structured as a randomized pilot study.