Fact Sheet Number 405
IMMUNE STIMULATORS
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PrintNOTE: Fact Sheets 402 through 405 describe drugs that are being
tested against HIV. See Fact Sheet
402 for information on reverse transcriptase inhibitors, Fact Sheet 403 for information on
protease inhibitors, and Fact Sheet
404 on other classes of antiviral drugs. These drugs have
not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for
use against HIV.
We can think of most antiviral drugs as “offense”, attacking
the virus to slow down its multiplication. Another approach to
treating HIV infection is “defense”, strengthening the
immune response of people who are infected. This Fact Sheet describes
new immune stimulators being developed.
Some of these treatments use the body’s own chemical messengers
(cytokines) to increase the immune system’s response to HIV. Different
cytokines carry different messages to cells of the immune system.
Some cytokines tell a cell to start multiplying; others can tell
a cell to self-destruct.
The best-known cytokine is interleukin-2
(IL-2, Aldesleukin, Proleukin) by Chiron Corporation.
It is currently in Phase III trials.
Multikine by Cel-Sci Corporation, is a mixture of several
different cytokines. It is in Phase I human trials.
TREATMENT
Another approach to stimulating the immune system is similar to
vaccination, except that it is used in people who are already
infected with HIV. HRG214 by Virionyx is a genetically
engineered group of antibodies to HIV. It is called a “passive
immuno-therapeutic pharmaceutical.” HRG 214 is in a Phase
I trial.
HIV-1 Immunogen (Remune) by Immune Response Corporation
includes all of the core proteins of HIV, in an inactive form.
This stimluates the immune system to respond. The development
of Remune has been long and difficult. Some Phase III trials were
halted in 2001 when Pfizer withdrew from a joint development agreement.
Remune’s future is uncertain.
STIMULATORS
Ampligen by Hemispherx Biopharma is supposed to activate
some of the cell’s own defenses against viruses. It is in Phase
II and Phase III trials.
HE2000 by Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals is a new drug
that works on an infected person’s immune system. It is designed
to stregthen the “humoral” immune response which is
responsible for producing antibodies. HE2000 is being tested in
Phase I/II trials.
Murabutide is under study by Dr. Georges Bahr in France.
It uses fragments of bacteria to stimulate the overall immune
response. Murabutide is given by injection. Phase I results, reported
late in 2001, were promising.
Reticulose by Advanced Viral Research Corporation is
a nucleic acid that stimulates the cell-killing arm of the immune
system. It is administered as a subcutaneous (beneath the skin)
injection. Early clinical trials showed that patients receiving
Reticulose had increases in their CD4 and CD8 cells, weight increases,
and fewer opportunistic infections than patients receiving placebo.
No toxic side effects have been reported yet. Reticulose is in
Phase III trials.
Cell Genesys has developed an AIDS gene therapy. CD4
and CD8 cells are collected from an HIV-infected patient. The
cells are genetically modified to recognize and kill HIV-infected
cells. They are multiplied, and then given back to the same patient.
This AIDS therapy is given along with antiviral drugs, and is
in Phase II trials.
Resveratrol is a chemical found in several plants and the
skin of red grapes. It protects plants against pathogens and may
have other immune-boosting properties. It is being studied in
a Phase I trial in people with HIV.
Revised December 22, 2001
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New Mexico AIDS Education and Training Center
and the New Mexico Department of Health