New Therapy For HIV/AIDS Patients
patient's viral load; then IL-2 spurs the creation of new T-cells to replenish the immune system.
In a surprise finding, Mitsuyasu and his associates also found that patients taking IL-2 and HAART experienced fewer episodes of AIDS-related infections and cancers (Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphoma and pneumonia). The investigators cautioned against premature conclusions about IL-2's impact on AIDS-related illnesses, however, because researchers did not design the study's size and timeline to test for this specific outcome.
Chiron Corporation, the manufacturer of IL-2, has launched plans for an international Phase III trial to test the drug on a larger population. Phase III trials are designed to show if a particular treatment really is helpful to patients. The company is currently recruiting 1,400 advanced-HIV patients to determine whether the drug reduces AIDS-related illnesses and extends life expectancy. For more information, call (800) 244-7668 or see http://www.silcaat.com/.
This is really exciting and hopeful news. If the immune system of HIV/AIDS patients can be rebuilt their life expectancy and quality of life will go up. These findings might also help patients with other illnesses of the immune system as well.
Notes and more information:
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) funded
the UCLA study through its AIDS Clinical Trials Group. One of 32
facilities chosen across the country, UCLA's CARE Center has participated
since NIAID launched the clinical trials network in 1986. For more information
on clinical research trials taking place at the UCLA CARE Center for adults,
children and pregnant women with HIV and AIDS, please call (310) 206-6414
or see http://www.medsch.ucla.edu/aidsinst/care...
Take Care and Think Microbiologically! For more microbiology articles click here: Suite101:Microbiology.
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