Active clinical trials for "HIV Infections"

This study will test the safety and effectiveness of genetically altered T lymphocytes (white blood cells of the immune system) in reducing viral load in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The lymphocytes will have two genes inserted into them; a laboratory-manufactured anti-HIV gene designed to inhibit HIV reproduction (either the RevTD or Rev-TD-antiTAR gene), and a "marker" gene that will show whether or not the inserted genes have gotten into the cells. Identical twin pairs 18 years of age and older- one of whom is HIV-positive (infected with the human immunodeficiency virus) and the other HIV-negative (not infected) may be eligible for this study. All participants will have a complete medical history and physical examination, blood tests and a tetanus booster shot, if indicated. The non HIV-infected twin will then undergo lymphapheresis to collect lymphocytes. In this procedure, whole blood is collected through a needle placed in an arm vein. The blood circulates through a machine that separates it into its components. The lymphocytes are then removed, and the red cells and plasma are returned to the donor, either through the same needle or through a second needle placed in the other arm. The donor cells are grown in the laboratory for a few days, and then the new genes are inserted into them. The genetically altered cells are grown in the laboratory for several days until their numbers increase approximately a thousand-fold. They are then infused intravenously (through a vein) into the infected twin. These procedures-lymphapheresis, gene modification and infusion-will be repeated at approximately 2-month intervals up to four times. Each lymphocyte infusion takes about 60 minutes. The patient's vital signs (temperature, pulse, blood pressure and breathing) are monitored frequently during the infusion and hourly for 4 hours after the infusion. Blood samples are taken the day of the infusion, 3 days later, and then weekly to monitor the gene-modified cells, immune status, viral activity, and other factors. These tests may be done less often as the study progresses and more is learned about the safety of the infusions. The infusions are done on an outpatient basis unless side effects require that they be done in the hospital with post-infusion monitoring for at least 24 hours. Patients will be followed for long-term effects of treatment monthly for the first 3 months, once a month for the next 9 months and yearly from then on. This study will contribute information about the use and side effects of gene therapy in HIV infection that may lead to new treatment strategies. A potential direct benefit to HIV-infected individuals participating in this study is reduced viral load; in laboratory studies, the RevTD and Rev-TD-antiTAR genes have inhibited HIV spread in the test tube. However, this is an early phase of study, and the likelihood of receiving this benefit is unknown.

This study will test the safety and effectiveness of hydroxyurea, an anti-cancer drug, given together with the anti-HIV drugs didanosine, stavudine and efavirenz for treating children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Some studies have found that hydroxyurea may help certain anti-HIV drugs to work better and that the virus does not become resistant to it, as it does other drugs. This study will also examine how hydroxyurea affects the body's immune system and virus levels. Patients 3 through 21 years old with HIV infection may be eligible for this 52-week study. They will be screened for eligibility with a thorough physical examination, including chest X-ray, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram, head CT scan, eye examination and blood tests. All patients in the study will take didanosine twice a day, stavudine twice a day and efavirenz once a day. All patients will also take hydroxyurea twice a day, but some will take a low dose of the drug, while others will take a high dose. Within each of these two groups (high and low dose) some patients will start taking hydroxyurea the same day they begin the anti-HIV drugs; others will not start hydroxyurea until after they have taken the anti-HIV drugs for 5 weeks. Patients will have a physical examination every 3 weeks until week 12, then every 4 weeks until week 24, and then every 8 weeks until the end of the study. Blood tests to measure virus levels will be done every other day for the first 7 days and periodically after that. For the first 8 weeks after starting hydroxyurea, blood tests will be done weekly. An eye examination, chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, and CT scans of the head will be done about every 6 months.

To investigate the toxicity of interferon alfa-2b ( IFN alfa-2b ) in combination with nucleoside analog therapy in HIV-positive patients with chronic hepatitis C. To determine the efficacy of treatment with IFN alfa-2b for chronic hepatitis C in patients with advanced HIV infections treated with nucleoside analog therapy. IFN alfa-2b has HIV inhibitory properties and has also been approved for treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Studies have shown that IFN alfa-2b is effective in asymptomatic HIV-positive patients with chronic hepatitis C, but the drug's benefit against hepatitis C in patients with advanced HIV infection has not been determined.

To compare the efficacy of lamivudine (3TC) and zidovudine (AZT) in combination versus the better of didanosine (ddI) monotherapy or ddI/AZT combination, in symptomatic HIV-1 infected children who received less than 56 days of prior antiretroviral therapy. To evaluate the safety and tolerance of 3TC/AZT in this patient population. To determine other measures of diseases in response to the study regimens. Currently, none of the potential treatments for HIV-1 infection has proven to be both nontoxic and effective in long-term use. However, previous studies in both adults and children have shown that 3TC combined with AZT reduced HIV load in blood and increased white blood cells. Additionally, 3TC has demonstrated a favorable safety profile.

The purpose of this study is to see if it is safe and effective to give isotretinoin to HIV-infected women with cervical tumors to prevent these tumors from becoming cancerous. Cervical tumors are found in both HIV-infected and HIV-negative women. However, HIV-infected women are at a greater risk, and often their tumors become cancerous more quickly than those in HIV-negative women. Isotretinoin may be able to prevent this from happening. However, since these tumors tend to disappear over time, many doctors are hesitant to give their patients isotretinoin since this drug causes birth defects. This study looks at whether it is better to treat cervical tumors in HIV-infected women or to wait and see if they will disappear by themselves.

For PRAM-1: To evaluate zidovudine (ZDV) + lamivudine (3TC) vs. stavudine (d4T) + ritonavir vs. ZDV + 3TC + ritonavir with respect to the change in plasma HIV-1 RNA copy number from baseline to 48 weeks [AS PER AMENDMENT 1/5/98: 72 weeks; AS PER AMENDMENT 7/17/98: 48 weeks] in stable HIV-infected children with >= 16 weeks of prior continuous antiretroviral therapy. To evaluate the safety and tolerance of ZDV + 3TC vs. d4T + ritonavir vs. ZDV + 3TC + ritonavir based upon laboratory and clinical toxicities. AS PER AMENDMENT 10/20/97: For PRAM-1, Step 2: To evaluate d4T + nevirapine + ritonavir with respect to change in plasma HIV-1 RNA copy number from baseline to 48 weeks in children who have received at least 12 weeks of therapy on the PRAM-1 ZDV/3TC arm and have over 10,000 viral copies at weeks 12, 24, or 36. To evaluate the safety and tolerance of d4T + nevirapine + ritonavir based upon laboratory and clinical toxicities. [AS PER AMENDMENT 10/23/98: To evaluate safety and tolerance of a switch from d4T + ritonavir vs. ZDV + 3TC + ritonavir to d4T + indinavir vs. ZDV + 3TC + indinavir in stable, HIV-infected children with RNA values <= 10,000 copies/ml.] For PRAM-1: Evidence supports combination therapy with 2 or more antiviral agents as beneficial in the long-term management of HIV. The possibility exists that combination therapy may result in a synergistic or additive activity over a prolonged period of time. Also hypothesized is that the development of resistance to individual agents will be developed if viral replication is significantly decreased. AS PER AMENDMENT 10/20/97: For PRAM-1, Step 2: Interim analysis at 12 weeks on PRAM-1 indicates that the proportion of children reaching undetectable RNA levels on the ZDV + 3TC arm is significantly less than the other two arms. The protocol, therefore, has been modified (Step 2) to permit children in the ZDV + 3TC arm with RNA copy number >= 10,000 the opportunity to change to a novel therapeutic regimen (d4T + nevirapine + ritonavir).

The purpose of this study is to see if it is safe and effective to give HIV-infected children and teens 1 of 4 anti-HIV drug combinations. Decreasing HIV levels in infected patients can slow down disease progression. Further study is needed to find out which drug combinations are most effective in doing this.

To determine the proportion of patients treated with amprenavir, zidovudine (ZDV), stavudine (D4T) and lamivudine (3TC) whose HIV-1 RNA level remains below the level of detection during 96 weeks of therapy. To determine the proportion of patients treated with indinavir (IDV), nevirapine (NVP), 3TC, and d4T whose HIV-1 RNA level decreases and then remains below the level of detection, during the 96-week therapy period. To determine the viral effects, safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of amprenavir in combination with zidovudine, stavudine, and lamivudine. [AS PER AMENDMENT 2/27/98: To determine the proportion of patients with undetectable plasma HIV RNA, by treatment and baseline RNA cohort (either detectable or undetectable). To determine the durability of these regimens by estimating the distribution of time to loss of virologic suppression (or equivalently, time to virologic failure), by treatment and baseline RNA cohort.] This study allows patients who have successfully participated in ACTG 347 or other trials involving amprenavir to continue treatment with amprenavir, ZDV, d4T, and 3TC. Additionally, this study provides patients whose HIV-1 RNA was not reduced to undetectable levels or who had a significant increase in plasma levels ("treatment failures") the opportunity to change to a potentially more active regimen that includes indinavir, nevirapine, lamivudine, and stavudine.

This study will examine the safety of giving antiviral therapy for HIV infection in a once-daily dosing schedule, and assess how well patients tolerate this regimen. A once a day dosing schedule may be easier for some people to follow than one that requires taking medicine 2 or 3 times a day. The ease of treatment is important, because not following the prescribed dosing regimen may make therapy less effective or ineffective. HIV-infected patients 18 years and older who have never been treated for their infection may be eligible for this study. Candidates will be screened with a history and physical examination, including blood tests. Participants will take the following medications once a day: 1200 mg of amprenavir (8 capsules); 300 mg of ritonavir (3 capsules); 600 mg of abacavir (2 pills); and 300 mg of lamivudine (2 pills). Patients will have routine blood tests and be seen by a nurse or doctor, or both, at follow-up visits at weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16; then every 8 weeks until week 48; and then every 3 months for up to 3 years. At week 2, a special blood test will be done over the course of a day to measure blood drug levels. For this test, blood samples will be drawn 8 times over a 24-hour period. A heparin lock (a device that allows the needle to remain in the vein) will be used to avoid multiple needle sticks.

This study involves GLQ223 administration to patients who have not previously been exposed to it, but who have received at least 9 months of zidovudine therapy. Efficacy evaluations will include survival, opportunistic infections, T4 cell count, and assessments of viral load.