Protocol Number: 05-I-0123
HIV-infected patients 18 years of age and older who have not previously taken IL-2 or taken any anti-HIV drug within 1 year of entering this study may be eligible for the study. Candidates are screened with a physical examination and blood tests during at least two screening clinic visits. Participants are assigned by chance to one of the following three treatment groups: -Standard of care treatment: This group does not receive IL-2 or anti-HIV drugs. -IL-2 alone: This group receives three treatment cycles of IL-2. A cycle consists of an injection of IL-2 under the skin twice a day for 5 days in a row, followed by 7 weeks of no IL-2. After three cycles, patients may continue additional cycles for up to 2 years if the therapy is believed to be helpful. Patients are taught how to self-administer the IL-2. -IL-2 plus anti-HIV drugs around IL-2 cycles only: This group receives three cycles of IL-2 as outlines above, but also receives 10 days of anti-HIV drugs around the IL-2 cycles (3 days before, 5 days during, and 2 days after IL-2 cycles). Patients in the first two groups may begin anti-HIV therapy at any time they or their doctors believe it would be in their best interest to do so, and patients in the third group may begin continuous anti-HIV therapy or, conversely, stop all anti-HIV drugs, at any time it is believed to be in their best interest to do so. All patients are followed in the clinic at least once a month for 8 months and then at least every 4 months for up to 2 years. The follow-up includes blood tests and possibly a visit with a doctor or nurse. Patients who develop side effects may need to be seen more frequently and may require additional blood and urine tests. Patients receiving IL-2 are seen for a clinical examination or blood tests, or both, to ensure that they are well before receiving each cycle. They are also seen on the last day of the dosing cycle and once again about one month after each cycle. They may need to be seen more often if they have a history of serious side effects during prior IL-2 treatments or if they develop serious side effects. Women who can become pregnant have a pregnancy test before starting each IL-2 cycle. Some of the blood drawn for this study is used for genetic tests, and some blood is collected and stored for future studies.
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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland 20892. Last update: 09/20/2008
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