Immunotherapy of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

HIV infection results in the destruction of the thymus-dependent cellular immune system and death due to opportunistic infection and malignancy. Immunosuppressive influences (other sexually or blood-transmitted viruses, HIV-derived peptides, semen, poor nutrition, drugs, etc.) favor the progression of the disease. Although immunorestorative agents may be expected to delay progression of the disease, John Hadden argues that no agent has yet proven useful in reversing the immunodeficiency in full-blown AIDS. However, two thymomimetic drugs, isoprinosine and diethyldithiocarbamate, inhibit the development of infections in patients with pre-AIDS in large multicenter trials, and preliminary data from trials with two thymomimetic peptides, thymopentin and ImReg-1, in pre-AIDS patients are encouraging.