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The loss of CD4 cells during HIV infection is likely multifactorial and, aside from direct viral killing, probably involves immune activation. In an 8-week proof-of-concept study, cyclosporine was associated with a higher-than-expected, sustained CD4-cell–count rise in patients with recent HIV infection (J Clin Invest 2002; 109:681). However, that study lacked a control group and did not provide information about patients with chronic infection.
To address these gaps, ACTG investigators conducted an open-label randomized study in 42 chronically infected patients.
Twenty patients were assigned to receive Trizivir (AZT/3TC/abacavir), and 22 were assigned to receive Trizivir plus cyclosporin A (4 mg/kg) twice daily for 2 weeks. The cyclosporin A…