View clinical trials related to AIDS-Related Complex.
Filter by:To determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 2',3'-dideoxy-2',3'-didehydrothymidine (d4T) administered to patients with AIDS or AIDS related complex (ARC) who are intolerant of zidovudine (AZT). The study also begins an assessment of the effectiveness of d4T therapy on HIV replication, on plasma levels of p24 antigen, and clinical or immunologic parameters associated with AIDS. Of the methods that are being evaluated to treat HIV-infected individuals, AZT has produced the best results to date. Toxic effects in approximately 50 percent of patients receiving AZT may limit its usefulness for prolonged treatment. Long-term treatment may be necessary to prevent progression of early stage HIV infection to AIDS and to prevent secondary transmission. Other drugs that may be equally or more effective than AZT and useful in the long- term treatment of HIV infection must be developed and evaluated. Test-tube and animal studies of d4T show that the drug can inhibit replication (reproduction) of HIV at concentrations similar to concentrations of AZT that have anti-HIV activity. These studies also indicate that the drug may stay in the bloodstream longer than AZT. Thus, it may be possible for the drug to be as effective as AZT when taken less frequently than AZT. It also may have a less disturbing effect on other body functions (such as thymidine metabolism).
To study the effectiveness, safety, and tolerance of fluconazole versus clotrimazole troches (lozenges) as prophylaxis (preventive treatment) against fungal infections in patients enrolled in ACTG 081 (a study of prophylaxis against pneumocystosis, toxoplasmosis, and serious bacterial infection). Primarily, to compare the rates of invasive infections by C. neoformans, endemic mycoses, and Candida. To compare the mortality rates due to fungal infections between two antifungal prophylactic treatments. Secondarily, to assess the effect of prophylaxis on the incidence of severe fungal infections, defined as invasive infections and esophageal candidiasis and less severe mucocutaneous infection. Serious fungal infections are significant complicating and life-threatening occurrences in patients with advanced HIV infection. Oropharyngeal candidiasis is found in almost all such patients, and causes pain, difficulty in swallowing, and loss of appetite. Similarly, esophageal candidiasis causes illness in the population. Cryptococcosis, endemic mycoses, and coccidioidomycosis also cause significant illness and death in AIDS patients. Once established, fungal infections in AIDS patients generally require continuous suppressive therapy because attempts at curing these infections are usually unsuccessful. Fluconazole has a number of characteristics that would make it a logical candidate to examine as a prophylactic agent in patients with advanced HIV infection. Animal studies have shown it to be prophylactic in models of candidiasis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, and coccidioidomycosis. Initial experience in patients with active cryptococcal meningitis appears favorable, and studies of oropharyngeal candidiasis show it to be effective.
To study the safety and pharmacokinetics (blood levels) of recombinant human CD4 immunoglobulin (rCd4-IgG) in patients with AIDS or AIDS related complex (ARC) who have failed or declined therapy with zidovudine (AZT). An additional goal of the study is to obtain a preliminary indication of the antiviral effects of Cd4-IgG in patients with AIDS or ARC. Other approaches in addition to existing treatment of HIV infection need to be evaluated. One approach may be to block HIV infection by interrupting the assembly of the virus within the cell or the budding of virus from the membrane of the infected cell. In addition, blocking the attachment of HIV to its cellular receptor may offer another point of attack. HIV binds to the CD4 receptor on the target T4 lymphocyte and the envelope glycoprotein of the virus (gp120) is capable of high affinity binding to CD4. Any agent that prevents the attachment of gp120 to the CD4 receptor should be able to block virus transmission and spread. Recently, scientists have succeeded in producing highly purified recombinant soluble human CD4. Recombinant CD4 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 could be derived from either or both of these biologic effects. In order to extend the length of time that rCD4 stays in the body, the compound has been modified by combining it with a human immunoglobulin of the IgG1 class (IgG).
AMENDED: 8/29/90 Inclusion of asymptomatic patients with CD4 counts less than 200 cells/mm3. Standardization of baseline evaluation schedule to allow 14 days prior to study dosing. Reduction in frequency and intensity of follow-up evaluations. Standardization of study endpoints. Inclusion of toxicity scoring and management for amylase and triglyceride elevations. Clarification of concomitant medication use. Original design: To determine the effectiveness of didanosine (ddI) in patients with AIDS or advanced AIDS related complex (ARC) who have documented hematologic intolerance to zidovudine (AZT) therapy. To determine if the efficacy of ddI increases with increasing doses. AZT is effective in reducing mortality in patients with AIDS who receive the drug after the first episode of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and in patients with advanced ARC. However, AZT therapy has been associated with significant toxicities. In addition, the effectiveness of AZT appears to decrease during the second and third years of therapy. For these reasons, the development of alternative therapy that would be at least as effective but less toxic is of great importance. The drug ddI is an antiviral agent that inhibits replication (reproduction) of HIV with less apparent toxicity than AZT. The major dose-limiting toxicities found in the Phase I studies have been pains in the feet and legs of 2 patients initially receiving 12 mg/kg/day and 12 patients receiving daily doses of 25.8 to 51.2 mg/kg; symptoms began 8 to 27 weeks after initiating ddI treatment. These neuropathy-like symptoms have generally not been associated with significant abnormalities in nerve conduction studies and patients have reported marked improvement in symptoms within 1 to 2 weeks of discontinuing ddI. Some patients have resumed ddI treatment at a reduced dose after resolution of their symptoms. Studies indicate that ddI remains active in the body for at least 12 hours. This indicates that benefits of ddI might be achieved with a low frequency of drug administration.
Part 1A: To find the dose of zidovudine (AZT) that causes less than a 50 percent drop in HIV-1 p24 antigen levels in patients with AIDS and advanced AIDS related complex (ARC); to determine the pharmacokinetics (blood levels) of rsCD4 administered in combination with AZT. Parts 1B and 2: To test for additive or synergistic activity between rsCD4 and AZT as judged by falls in HIV-1 p24 antigen levels; and to evaluate the safety of rsCD4 and AZT in patients with AIDS and advanced ARC. AZT has been shown to be effective in the treatment of AIDS and advanced ARC but not without toxicity. The most clinically significant toxicity is dose related inhibition of bone marrow function. Furthermore, HIV-1 isolates from patients treated for more than 6 months with AZT have now been found which appear to have reduced sensitivity to AZT. The incidence of toxicity and occurrence of virus with reduced sensitivity to AZT may result in the inability to administer AZT long-term to patients with AIDS and advanced ARC. Recombinant soluble CD4 (rCD4) has shown antiretroviral effects and has been shown to be safe when given to AIDS and ARC patients either as a single agent or in combination with AZT.