AIDS drug shows promise.AIDS drug shows promise People infected with the AIDS virus showed signs of improved immune function after taking an experimental drug called dideoxyinosine dideoxyinosine /di·de·oxy·in·o·sine/ (-in´o-sen) didanosine. di·de·ox·y·in·o·sine n. ddI. (DDI ddI and ddC: see AZT. ), researchers report in the July 28 SCIENCE. Robert Yarchoan of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md., and his colleagues studied 25 men and one woman infected with the virus, known as HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. . All subjects had evidence of a damaged immune system that is characteristic of HIV infection, and 10 had turned to DDI as a last resort when they could no longer take the drug zidovudine zidovudine /zi·do·vu·dine/ (zi-do´vu-den) a synthetic nucleoside (thymidine) analogue that inhibits replication of some retroviruses, including the human immunodeficiency virus; used in the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS. (AZT AZT or zidovudine (zīdō`vy  dēn'), drug used to treat patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS; also called ) because of severe side effects such as anemia. The pilot study demonstrates that DDI can shore up an ailing immune system without the toxic effects of zidovudine. By the sixth week of the study, subjects who got the highest drug does (at least 1.6 milligram per kilogram of DDI intravenously every 12 hours) showed an increase in their CD4-positive T-cells, infection-fighting white blood cells White blood cells A group of several cell types that occur in the bloodstream and are essential for a properly functioning immune system. Mentioned in: Abscess Incision & Drainage, Bone Marrow Transplantation, Complement Deficiencies targeted by HIV. The researchers say most patients tolerated DDI well, though a few reported headaches and insomnia. DDI works by blocking HIV replication, Yarchoan says. The team found that by the sixth week of DDI treatment, high-dose subjects showed declines in an HIV protein component that can be measured in the blood. This suggests DDI may help AIDS patients stave off opportunistic infections and live longer, but further studies must prove DDI's performance, Yarchoan says. The pilot study is part of a multicenter research effort to show DDI is safe before scientists go on to Phase II clinical trials to test the drug's efficacy. DDI manufacturer Bristol-Myers Co. of New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. says Phase II trials will begin in September. The company says it will distribute DDI free to AIDS patients who do not qualify for clinical studies at that time, a plan that fits with the recent Public Health Service proposal to establish a separate program enabling AIDS patients who don't meet Phase II trial criteria to obtain promising drugs from their doctors (SN: 7/1/89,p.6). |
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