Foscarnet Treatment of Serious CMV Retinitis Infection in Patients With Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
1992-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
To explore the safety and usefulness of foscarnet, an antiviral agent, in the treatment of
cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. Untreated CMV retinitis is a rapidly progressive, blinding
disease in AIDS patients. The manner in which foscarnet breaks down in the body and the
effect of increasing periodic intravenous doses are also studied. Foscarnet is active in
vitro (test tube) against herpes viruses, including CMV, by inhibiting the virus DNA
polymerases, enzymes necessary for virus replication, without affecting cellular DNA
polymerases. Opportunistic CMV disease in AIDS is usually seen as retinitis, colitis,
esophagitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, encephalitis, or pneumonia. Ganciclovir has been used
to treat AIDS patients with CMV disease but can cause severe neutropenia (very low neutrophil
cell counts). Foscarnet does not suppress the production of neutrophils or other leukocytes
(myelosuppression) and has shown in vitro activity against HIV.
Phase:
Phase 1
Details
Lead Sponsor:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)