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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
In Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Impact of Immunoregulatory Pathways on HIV-specific CD4 T Cell Effector Function
Published on: October 15, 2013
A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of recombinant human interleukin-10 in HIV-infected
J B Angel1, M A Jacobson, P R Skolnik
1The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Objective:
To determine the effect of multiple subcutaneous doses of recombinant human interleukin (rhuIL)-10 on plasma HIV RNA levels and CD4 T-cell counts, and to evaluate its safety and tolerability in HIV-infected subjects.
Design:
Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial.
Subjects:
Thirty-nine HIV-infected subjects with CD4 T-cell counts > 200 x 10(6)/l, plasma HIV RNA concentrations > or = 3.18 log10 copies/ml and on stable antiretroviral therapy were recruited from six centers.
Intervention:
Subjects received (subcutaneously) rhuIL-10 1 microg/kg daily, 4 microg/kg daily, 8 microg/kg three times per week, placebo daily or placebo three times per week for 4 weeks.
Main Outcome Measures:
Prospectively defined outcomes included safety and tolerability, plasma HIV RNA levels and CD4 T-cell counts. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 during treatment and weeks 2 and 4 following completion of therapy.
Results:
Baseline characteristics were similar in all groups. Compared to baseline, no significant change in plasma HIV RNA concentrations or CD4 T-cell counts was observed in any of the groups. RhuIL-10 was generally well tolerated. Two patients receiving rhuIL-10 4 microg/kg required discontinuation due to thrombocytopenia. One patient receiving rhuIL-10 4 microg/kg who had chronic hepatitis B and C infections discontinued drug because of elevated liver function tests. One patient receiving placebo discontinued study drug because of depression.
Conclusion:
The lack of a demonstrable virological benefit, as assessed by plasma viral load, with 4 weeks of rhuIL-10 does not support the development of this immune-based therapy for treatment of HIV infection.
