Immune modulatory effects of cyclooxygenase type 2 inhibitors in HIV patients on combination antiretroviral treatment.

Objectives: To examine the immune modulating effects of cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) inhibitors (COX-2i) in HIV-infected patients on combination antiretroviral treatment (CART).

Design: In-depth substudy from an approved, open, controlled, randomized study comparing the immune modulating effects of CART in combination with COX-2i after 12 weeks.

Methods: Patients (n = 38) on long-term CART with stable viral load (VL) < 50,000 copies/ml and CD4+ T-cell counts > 100/microl were randomized to CART and rofecoxib 25 mg bid (n = 12) or celecoxib 400 mg bid (n = 12), or CART only without placebo (n = 14).