Clinical and immunologic observations in patients with AIDS-related complex treated with IMREG-1

An immunomodulator, IMREG-1, derived from human leukocyte dialysates exerts a variety of effects on the cell-mediated immune system, including acceleration and amplification of delayed hypersensitivity to recall antigens, modulation of gamma-interferon production in response to antigen, and enhanced expression of the p55 portion of the receptor for interleukin-2 on CD4+ cells. On the basis of initial studies of IMREG-1 in patients with AIDS-Related Complex (ARC), a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial of this agent was carried out. The results indicate that patients who received IMREG-1 had a lower risk of progression to frank AIDS than those who received placebo. A decline in the rate of reduction of numbers of CD4+ cells, as well as fewer symptoms were also observed in patients who received IMREG-1 as compared with placebo.