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Phase I Trial of the Combination of Zidovudine and Recombinant Interleukin-2 in Patients With Persistent Generalized Lymphadenopathy
This study has been completed.
Sponsored by: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Information provided by: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00000728
  Purpose

To evaluate the short-term effects of administering zidovudine ( AZT ) at the same time with increasing doses of aldesleukin ( interleukin-2; IL-2 ) in patients with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy syndrome ( PGL ). The effects to be studied include safety or toxicity, how quickly the drugs are used in the body, effects on the immune system, effects on HIV, concentrations in body fluids, and how quickly the drugs are cleared by the kidneys. The trial will establish the maximum tolerated dose ( MTD ) and will be a pilot study to determine the dose that has the greatest effect in the immune system.

AZT has been shown to be effective in HIV-related disease. IL-2 has been shown to increase immune responses and correct immune problems caused by HIV in the test tube. IL-2 has also been effective in treating Kaposi's sarcoma in a number of patients. Because of the clinical activities of these two drugs and because their toxicities and mechanisms of action do not overlap, it may be beneficial to combine the two drugs with their antiviral and immune stimulatory effects.


Condition Intervention Phase
HIV Infections
Drug: Zidovudine
Drug: Aldesleukin
Phase I

MedlinePlus related topics: AIDS
Drug Information available for: Zidovudine Aldesleukin Interleukin-2
U.S. FDA Resources
Study Type: Interventional
Study Design: Treatment, Open Label, Pharmacokinetics Study
Official Title: Phase I Trial of the Combination of Zidovudine and Recombinant Interleukin-2 in Patients With Persistent Generalized Lymphadenopathy

Further study details as provided by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID):

Estimated Enrollment: 20
Detailed Description:

AZT has been shown to be effective in HIV-related disease. IL-2 has been shown to increase immune responses and correct immune problems caused by HIV in the test tube. IL-2 has also been effective in treating Kaposi's sarcoma in a number of patients. Because of the clinical activities of these two drugs and because their toxicities and mechanisms of action do not overlap, it may be beneficial to combine the two drugs with their antiviral and immune stimulatory effects.

Patients enter the study in staggered groups of five. All patients receive AZT orally every 4 hours for 12 weeks. At the end of 8 weeks, the first group of five patients receive the lowest dosage of IL-2 on a daily basis while still receiving AZT. Toxicity and immunologic effects are measured at the beginning of AZT therapy and then every 2 weeks. Each succeeding group of five patients receives a higher dose of IL-2, while receiving AZT, until the MTD is reached. Those patients who have shown no toxicity as well as improved immune function while taking both drugs receive a 4-week follow-up course of IL-2 5 weeks after stopping AZT. In addition, five patients who have completed the AZT / IL-2 combined treatment without significant toxicity are re-treated with 12 weeks of AZT alone starting 8 weeks after completing the initial combined AZT / IL-2 portion of treatment. Another five patients will be re-treated with 12 weeks of full dose of AZT alone, followed by 8 weeks of half-dose AZT alone starting 8 weeks after completing the initial combined AZT / IL-2 treatment. Patients receive ibuprofen for fever and chills, and those who reach their MTD continue to receive that dose in combination with AZT for 4 weeks. If excess toxicity is observed on all doses of IL-2, the study will be discontinued.

  Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:   18 Years and older
Genders Eligible for Study:   Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   No
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Detectable HIV nucleic acid in patient peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes (PBML's) by the gene amplification technique. A positive antibody to HIV confirmed by any federally licensed ELISA test kit.

Concurrent Medication:

Allowed:

  • Medications without which there might be significant risk, such as seizures, loss of diabetic control or respiratory embarrassment.
  • Necessary topical agents including topical acyclovir.
  • Diuretics for significant fluid retention only.

Concurrent Treatment:

Allowed:

  • Blood transfusions for anemia if hematocrit falls below 25 percent.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Active drug or alcohol abuse.

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following will be excluded:

  • Grade 1 impairment on two or more items in the ACTG Micro Neuro AIDS assessment.
  • Concurrent neoplasms other than basal cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ carcinoma of the cervix.
  • Major organ allograft.
  • Significant cardiac disease or central nervous system lesions.
  • Patients with hemophilia should be evaluated and treated under the hemophilia protocol.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

  • Inderal or vasoactive hypertensive medication.
  • Non-essential medications including pain medications.

Excluded are:

  • Patients with an opportunistic infection or malignancy fulfilling the definition of AIDS.

Patients with AIDS related complex, defined as:

  • 1. Weight loss in excess of 15 lbs. or 10 percent of body weight noted in a 2-year period prior to entry into the study. 2. Temperature greater than 38.5 degrees C with or without night sweats, persisting for more than 14 consecutive days or more than 15 days in a 30-day interval during a 2-year period prior to entry into the study. 3. Diarrhea defined as = or > 3 liquid stools per day, persisting for more than 30 days during a 2-year period prior to entry into the study without a definable cause. 4. Herpes zoster during the past 2 years. 5. Oral candidiasis or biopsy-proven hairy leukoplakia during the last 2 years. 6. Active substance abuse.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

  • Zidovudine (AZT).
  • Excluded within 30 days of study entry:
  • Antiretroviral agents.
  • Biologic response modifiers.
  • Corticosteroids.
  • Excluded within 60 days of study entry:
  • Ribavirin.
  Contacts and Locations
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00000728

Locations
United States, California
Stanford Univ School of Medicine
Stanford, California, United States, 94305
Sponsors and Collaborators
Investigators
Study Chair: Merigan TC
  More Information

Click here for more information about Zidovudine  This link exits the ClinicalTrials.gov site
Click here for more information about Aldesleukin  This link exits the ClinicalTrials.gov site

Publications:
Schwartz DH, Skowron G, Merigan TC. Safety and effects of interleukin-2 plus zidovudine in asymptomatic individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Int Conf AIDS. 1990 Jun 20-23;6(3):197 (abstract no SB444)
Schwartz DH, Skowron G, Merigan TC. Safety and effects of interleukin-2 plus zidovudine in asymptomatic individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 1991;4(1):11-23.

Study ID Numbers: ACTG 024
Study First Received: November 2, 1999
Last Updated: July 29, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00000728  
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government

Keywords provided by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID):
Immune Tolerance
Interleukin-2
Drug Therapy, Combination
AIDS-Related Complex
Zidovudine
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes

Study placed in the following topic categories:
Virus Diseases
Lymphatic Diseases
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral
Aldesleukin
Interleukin-2
HIV Infections
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Zidovudine
AIDS-Related Complex
Retroviridae Infections
Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes

Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Antimetabolites
Anti-Infective Agents
RNA Virus Infections
Anti-HIV Agents
Slow Virus Diseases
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Immune System Diseases
Antineoplastic Agents
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Enzyme Inhibitors
Infection
Antiviral Agents
Pharmacologic Actions
Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
Anti-Retroviral Agents
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
Sensory System Agents
Therapeutic Uses
Lentivirus Infections
Analgesics
Peripheral Nervous System Agents
Central Nervous System Agents
Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on January 15, 2009