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Because interleukin (IL)-2 regulates the proliferation and survival of CD4 cells, researchers have attempted for years to incorporate it into HIV therapeutics. Findings from several studies have suggested that it adds little clinical benefit to standard antiretroviral therapy (ART). Now, researchers in France have conducted a randomized trial to assess whether IL-2 can be used to postpone ART initiation.
Sixty-six patients with asymptomatic HIV infection and CD4 counts of 300 to 500 cells/mm3 received three 5-day cycles of twice-daily, subcutaneous IL-2 injections over 24 weeks. Patients whose CD4-cell counts had not doubled by week 24 received a fourth cycle. An additional 1 to 2 cycles per year, after week 48, were planned to keep CD4-cell…