A randomized, controlled trial of foscarnet in the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with AIDS.

Objective: To evaluate foscarnet sodium in treating cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with AIDS.

Patients: Twenty-four previously untreated persons with AIDS and cytomegalovirus retinitis who were at low risk for loss of their visual acuity.

Intervention: PATIENTS were randomly assigned to receive either no therapy (delayed treatment, control group) or immediate treatment with intravenous foscarnet at a dose of 60 mg/kg body weight three times a day for 3 weeks (induction regimen) followed by a maintenance regimen of 90 mg/kg once a day.

A phase I/II trial of zidovudine, interferon-alpha, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection.

Twenty-four patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) who had CD4+ counts of 0.2-0.5 x 10(9) cells/l received granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in combination with zidovudine plus escalating doses of daily subcutaneous interferon-alpha.

Immunologic abnormalities in HIV infection.

The progressive decline in the number and function of circulating CD4+ T lymphocytes remains the most characteristic immunologic abnormality found in persons infected with HIV. With the CD4+ cell as the central element in the immunologic cascade of events involved in antigen recognition and host defense, loss of normal CD4 number and function results in impairment of many immune functions that require induction signals by CD4 lymphocytes, including CD8 function, B lymphocyte production of immunoglobulin, NK cell function, and monocyte/macrophage function. Although CD4 cell depletion is a major factor in the pathogenesis of HIV infection, immunologic abnormalities such as impairment of responses to soluble protein antigens appear even before detectable loss of circulating CD4 cells.

Syngeneic bone marrow transplantation and adoptive transfer of peripheral blood lymphocytes combined with zidovudine in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Objective: To examine the role of syngeneic bone marrow transplantation and peripheral blood lymphocyte infusions combined with zidovudine in the treatment of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Design: A partially randomized outpatient trial.

Setting: Outpatient and inpatient facility of the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health, a research-based referral facility.

The immunology of HIV infection.

A variety of immunologic abnormalities have been reported in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The most characteristic is a decrease in the number and function of CD4 helper/inducer T lymphocytes. Patients with HIV infection also have abnormalities in the number and activity of CD8 suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes, defective soluble antigen recognition, polyclonal B cell activation, and decreased cytotoxicity.

Combined zidovudine and interferon-alpha therapy in patients with Kaposi sarcoma and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Study Objective: To evaluate the toxicity and potential clinical efficacy of combined therapy with zidovudine and interferon-alpha for patients with Kaposi sarcoma and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Design: Nonrandomized, open trial study.

Setting: Outpatient clinic of a government referral-based research hospital.

The effect of theophylline and enprofylline on the late cutaneous response to antigen and compound 48/80.

Theophylline and enprofylline have been demonstrated to reduce mast cell-mediator release, inhibit polymorphonuclear leukocyte activation, and have been reported to reduce the late bronchial response to antigen. The effects of theophylline and enprofylline on the late cutaneous response (LCR) to compound 48/80 and antigen were studied in 29 patients enrolled in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study of the effect of the xanthines in mild asthma. Skin testing to a common environment allergen and compound 48/80 was performed during a baseline period and in the second phase of the study after stable drug levels were achieved, at least 6 weeks later.

Methionine-enkephalin as immunomodulator therapy in human immunodeficiency virus infections: clinical and immunological effects.

Enkephalins have been shown to enhance T cell-mediated immune responses and natural killer-cell activity in vitro. We have studied the effects of infusions of methionine-enkephalin on immune functions and clinical courses in seven patients with various stages of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). All patients were clinically stable at the time of entry into the study.