It is hazardous to treat HIV patients with interferon-alpha.

Interferon-alpha is shown to play a key role in the progressing immunodysfunction that characterizes HIV infection. In particular, interferon-alpha is responsible for the development of an autoimmune state that is prone to serious complications. Therefore, treatment of HIV patients with IFN-alpha is hazardous. There are results suggesting that anti-interferon-alpha immunization might be a method for prophylaxis and treatment of the autoimmune state in HIV patients. This treatment may prevent complications of HIV infection and the transition to AIDS.