Immunomodulation of HIV-1 Infected Individuals With PEG-Interleukin-2
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
1969-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
To evaluate the safety and immunological effects of polyethylene glycolated-interleukin-2
(PEG-IL-2) on asymptomatic (without symptoms) HIV-seropositive patients who are taking
zidovudine (AZT). To enhance measures of immune function with well-tolerated doses of
PEG-IL-2, an immunomodulator, in a regimen designed to allow its use in outpatients with
normal daily activity (i.e., full-time employment, etc.). Recombinant IL-2 (without PEG
modification) was administered to HIV-infected patients by daily intradermal injection. At
the low doses used, this was non-toxic, well-tolerated, and gave a systemic response as
measured by natural killer cell and lymphokine-activated killer cell activity, but required
daily administration. In the current study, the PEG modification of IL-2 is used since it has
a much longer prolonged half-life compared with the non-PEG compound, without loss of
functional activity.