An interim report on the effect of natural human interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) lozenges in patients seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).

Oral mucosal administration of natural human interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) lozenges has previously been applied to the treatment of HIV-1 seropositive patients with benefits including weight gain and amelioration of clinical signs and symptoms of disease. These previous studies have been of short duration and employed treatment at a constant dosage. In this interim report, we describe the positive effects of long-term administration of IFN-alpha lozenges given in increasing dosages over the time. Forty adult patients positive for HIV-1 by ELISA and Western Blot have been enrolled in an ongoing, open-label study. Patients have received IFN-alpha lozenges at dosages ranging from 75-600 IU administered once daily into the oral cavity to promote oral mucosal contact. Patients have been treated for variable periods, ranging from 19 days to over 700 days. A group of untreated and unmatched patients, positive for HIV-1 by ELISA and Western Blot, were also followed during this study. At the time of this interim report, only 18 patients had received long-term treatment (more than 168 days with one or more increases in dosage). Five of the 18 patients died; one committed suicide. Two died due to complications of Kaposi sarcoma and another two died of HIV-related causes. The remaining 13 patients have exhibited a significantly smaller mean monthly decrease in CD4+ cells than the untreated but unmatched patients monitored during the same time period (P < or = 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)