IL-2 and HIV: Two Definitive Studies Published

Interleukin (IL)-2, originally called T-cell growth factor, is known to increase CD4-cell counts in HIV-infected patients. What has not been certain is whether this increase improves clinical outcomes in patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Now, answers are available from two large randomized trials — one in patients with lower CD4-cell counts and the other in patients with higher counts.

In the SILCAAT study (sponsored by the manufacturer of IL-2), 1695 patients with CD4 counts of 50 to 299 cells/mm³ were randomized to receive ART either alone or with cycles of IL-2. On average, during a median follow-up of 7.6 years, the CD4 count was 53 cells/mm³ higher in the IL-2 group than in the ART-alone group. However, no difference was …