Clinical and virological effects of high-dose recombinant interferon-alpha in disseminated AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma

Lancet. 1988 Nov 26;2(8622):1214-7. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(88)90810-0.

Abstract

The effectiveness and antiretroviral activities of interferon-alpha in AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma was assessed in a non-randomised, phase-II clinical trial. 28 patients were treated with high-dose (27-36 MU) human recombinant interferon-alpha 2a subcutaneously every day for 8 weeks. In patients with stable disease or showing a response, treatment was continued three times weekly until a complete response was achieved or there was progression. 12 of the 26 evaluable patients achieved a major response; 5 of these showed histologically confirmed complete responses. There was a significant increase in OKT4-positive cells in the responders and a significant decrease in HIV antigen (HIV-Ag) in the 7 responders with initially detectable HIV-Ag. Interferon-alpha is thus an effective treatment. The increase in OKT4-positive cells and the decrease in HIV-Ag seem to be significantly related to patients with tumour responses.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / therapy
  • Adult
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Drug Evaluation
  • HIV Antigens / analysis
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / drug effects
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Interferon Type I / administration & dosage*
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage*
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / etiology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / immunology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / etiology
  • Skin Neoplasms / immunology
  • Skin Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • HIV Antigens
  • Interferon Type I
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins