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Interleukin 2 therapy in infectious diseases: rationale and prospects
Infection
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Interleukin 2 (IL-2) enhances cytotoxic immune responses in lymphocytes of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This finding supports current clinical trials and suggests IL-2
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is characterized by impaired immune function.
- Clinical trials investigating interleukin 2 (IL-2) as an immunomodulating agent for AIDS are underway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present data on the in vitro efficacy of IL-2 in augmenting immune responses in AIDS patients.
- To provide a rationale for ongoing IL-2 clinical trials in AIDS.
- To establish a model for evaluating IL-2's potential in other infectious diseases.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies assessing the effect of IL-2 on lymphocyte function.
- Analysis of cytotoxic immune responses in lymphocytes from patients with AIDS.
Main Results:
- Interleukin 2 (IL-2) demonstrated the ability to augment clinically important cytotoxic immune responses in vitro.
- Lymphocytes from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome showed enhanced responses when treated with IL-2.
Conclusions:
- IL-2 shows promise as a therapeutic agent for augmenting immune function in AIDS patients.
- The findings support the use of IL-2 in current clinical trials for AIDS.
- IL-2 may have broader applications in treating other infectious diseases.