T-cell function after interleukin-2 therapy in HIV-infected patients is correlated with serum cortisol concentrations.

Objectives: To examine the effects of interleukin (IL)-2 therapy on in-vitro lymphocyte responsiveness in HIV-infected patients and to correlate these data with serum cortisol concentrations.

Design: German prospective study.

Methods: In adult patients (n = 32) treated with 9 x 10(6) IU/day interleukin-2, lymphocyte transformation tests (LTT), serum cortisol concentrations and CD4 T-cell counts were assessed before, during and after IL-2 therapy.

Interleukin-2 given to asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals leads to an exaggerated response of the pituitary gland to the action of CRH.

Background And Aims: Studies investigating the impact of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on the corticotroph axis have shown that IL-2 can stimulate cortisol and ACTH secretion. However, the site, the time course and the mechanisms of IL-2 stimulation of the corticotroph axis are still not known. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the mechanisms of IL-2 stimulation of the corticotroph axis.

Transient stimulatory effects on pituitary-thyroid axis in patients treated with interleukin-2.

It has been shown that various cytokine therapies may influence thyroid hormone parameters that may lead to serious side effects including nonthyroidal illness. Interleukin-2 is effective in increasing CD4-T cell numbers in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients and it is used in the treatment of various malignant tumours. However, the association of interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy and thyroid function is not clearly established as serial systematic measurements of thyroid parameters have not been performed with interleukin-2 as the sole therapeutic agent.

Comparison between subcutaneous and intravenous interleukin-2 treatment in HIV disease.

Objectives: Therapy of HIV-infection using intravenous interleukin-2 (IL-2) is known to be effective in terms of increasing CD4-counts but is associated with significant side-effects and hospitalization. However, the combination with protease-inhibitor therapy has not been tested yet. The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of intravenous vs.