View clinical trials related to HIV Infections.
Filter by:To determine the minimal effective (immunogenic) dose of vaccine in asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositive individuals with > 400 cells/mm3 (CD4). To determine the dose-response to a 4 fold escalation of the immunizing dose. To describe both cellular and humoral immune responses to HIV-1 in the immunized individuals. To describe the effects of this immunization on general immunological, virological and clinical parameters. To evaluate the safety of injecting recombinant gp160 in this population. To evaluate the extent of variability between different lots of gp160 (arms C1 and C2). It might be possible to increase immune responses or to induce new types of immune responses to HIV in some infected individuals by means of a vaccine, which could result in an immunological, virological or clinical benefit.
To determine the safety profile of recombinant human CD4-immunoglobulin G (CD4-IgG) and zidovudine (AZT) combination therapy in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC); to assess pharmacokinetic (blood level) properties of CD4-IgG in combination with AZT; and to obtain preliminary indication of the antiviral and immunologic effects of CD4-IgG in combination with AZT in patients with AIDS and ARC. Treatment of AIDS has been directed toward the underlying retroviral infection as well as toward specific opportunistic infections and malignancies that are associated with the syndrome. The most extensively studied drugs are reverse transcriptase inhibitors such as AZT and other nucleoside analogs, including didanosine (ddI) and dideoxycytidine (ddC). The most extensive clinical experience has been achieved with AZT. These clinical trials indicated a decreased incidence of opportunistic infection and increased survival in patients with AIDS. However, AZT treatment is associated with dose-limiting toxicities. Additionally, identification of resistance to AZT has increased the need to test the effectiveness of AZT in combination with other drugs. CD4-IgG is capable of binding to HIV envelope protein (gp120) and inhibiting HIV infectivity in test tube studies. Potential therapeutic benefit in patients with HIV infection may be derived from CD4-IgG.
To evaluate the feasibility of itraconazole as (1) primary therapy in histoplasmosis and (2) maintenance therapy after completion of primary therapy. To evaluate the effect of therapy of CNS histoplasmosis. To determine if resistance to drug occurs in patients who fail therapy. Histoplasmosis is a serious opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS. Although the clinical response to amphotericin B treatment in the AIDS patients is generally good, administration difficulties and toxicity detract from its usefulness. Oral treatment with ketoconazole overcomes these limitations of amphotericin B, but does not appear to be effective for primary treatment in patients with AIDS. Itraconazole is a triazole compound in which preclinical studies have demonstrated activity against Histoplasmosis capsulatum. Preclinical studies have also shown that itraconazole appears effective in the treatment of histoplasmosis. The frequency of adverse reactions to itraconazole has been low in several studies. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement occurs in up to 20 percent of patients with histoplasmosis, and appears to have a poor response to amphotericin B treatment. Itraconazole has been used successfully in a small number of patients with cryptococcal meningitis, supporting a study of its use in CNS histoplasmosis.
To evaluate the delivery of a single dose of aerosolized pentamidine to children; to evaluate the tolerance of pentamidine administration by mask; to compare intravenous pentamidine first dose pharmacokinetics (blood levels) in children with information previously collected on adults; and to compare plasma pentamidine levels in children after an aerosolized treatment with levels previously collected on adults. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is the most common serious infection in children with AIDS and is associated with a high death rate. Current approved treatment includes intravenous trimethoprim - sulfamethoxazole (TMP / SMX) and intravenous pentamidine, which are both effective in treatment of the first episode of PCP pneumonia. However, both therapies have a 50 percent or greater incidence of adverse reactions. Because of serious toxicities, drug treatment has had to be discontinued. Animal studies show that aerosolized pentamidine (pentamidine given through inhalation) is as effective as intravenous pentamidine. It is hoped that the aerosolized route will be less toxic than intravenous pentamidine. The study is the first step in evaluating the delivery of aerosolized pentamidine to children.
To determine the manner in which pyrimethamine is metabolized and excreted in patients currently receiving zidovudine (AZT). An important goal of this measurement is to establish the optimal dose of pyrimethamine necessary to prevent the development of toxoplasmosis in AIDS patients or delay the subsequent return of toxoplasmic encephalitis. Encephalitis caused by Toxoplasma gondii has emerged as the most frequent cause of focal central nervous system infection in patients with AIDS. Untreated, the encephalitis is fatal. The best treatment for this disease has not been determined. Presently it is standard practice to administer a combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine. Little is known about the pharmacokinetics of pyrimethamine in patients with AIDS receiving AZT. Furthermore, there are reports that patients already exposed to toxoplasmosis may not have uniform absorption of pyrimethamine.
To evaluate the safety of a fixed antigen dose with an increasing dose of adjuvant (MTP-PE/MF59, a substance to enhance the immune response to vaccine) in volunteers. To evaluate local and systemic reactions (Part A). To determine the safety and immunogenicity of Env 2-3 in combination with MTP-PE/MF59 in volunteers (Part B). The vaccine Env 2-3 is created from one of the viral proteins that make up HIV called envelope glycoprotein gp120. A problem with many immunogens, including candidate HIV vaccines, is that they may evoke relatively weak immune responses, particularly in humans and in nonhuman primates. Thus, there is considerable interest in the development of "adjuvants" (substances that augment immune responses to vaccines). MTP-PE/MF59 is an adjuvant that appears to be particularly promising, and is selected for the studies with this HIV vaccine candidate.
To evaluate three doses of clarithromycin in children with AIDS and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection who are receiving concurrent antiretroviral therapy. Before more extensive evaluation of this promising drug for treatment of MAC infection in children can be done, it is important to study the pharmacokinetics of this drug in this population, to get information regarding its use in pediatric patients receiving currently available antiretroviral drugs, and to get information on the antimycobacterial activity of this drug.
To examine the safety and tolerance of the administration of ganciclovir and foscarnet given together or alternately; to determine the interactive pharmacokinetics (blood level) profile of long-term combined and alternating therapy with these two drugs. Additional objectives are to examine the effect of these treatments in controlling time to cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis progression and to examine the antiviral activity of combined and alternating ganciclovir/foscarnet treatment and development of antiviral resistance. Sight-threatening CMV retinitis occurs in at least 6 percent of AIDS patients. By 1991 (US), there may be 6000 to 10000 patients with CMV retinitis. Many clinical reports suggest that both ganciclovir (DHPG) and foscarnet have an antiviral effect against CMV that is often associated with clinical stabilization. Effectiveness of ganciclovir and foscarnet is correlated with weekly maintenance and since toxicity is dose-limiting in up to 20 percent of patients receiving either drug for long periods, it may be beneficial in long-term maintenance treatment to combine or alternate these two drugs at a lower total weekly dose of each drug. This strategy may result in a greater net antiviral effect with less toxicity than is seen with either drug alone, because the toxicities of each drug are quite different.
To evaluate and compare the effectiveness and toxicity associated with didanosine ( ddI ) and zalcitabine ( dideoxycytidine; ddC ) in patients with HIV infection who are intolerant of or have failed zidovudine ( AZT ) therapy. Alternative and less toxic treatments need to be investigated for the treatment of HIV infection. Studies have shown that the dideoxynucleosides ddI and ddC may be effective antiretroviral agents in the treatment of HIV-infected individuals. However, ddI and ddC have yet to be compared on the basis of patient survival, drug tolerance, immunologic and virologic effectiveness, and the incidence of opportunistic infection or opportunistic malignancy. Results of this study will yield information regarding the relative therapeutic benefits and toxicities of each drug while providing alternative treatment to patients who are unable to tolerate or have had progression of disease while on AZT.
To determine the safety of vaccinia-derived HIV-1 recombinant envelope glycoprotein (gp160) in human volunteers; to evaluate the immunogenicity of this preparation in human volunteers. Although recent advances have been made in antiviral therapy against AIDS, there is currently no cure for AIDS. It is likely that ultimate control of the disease depends on the development of safe and effective vaccines against HIV.