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Clinical studies of an interferon inducer, polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid [poly (I)-poly (C)], in children
Insights
Intravenous polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid [poly (I)-poly (C)] was tested in children with serious viral-related neurologic illness. While safe, the low interferon titers induced suggest limited clinical use as an antiviral drug.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Viral infections can cause serious neurologic illness in children.
- Interferon inducers are being explored for antiviral therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid [poly (I)-poly (C)] in children with viral-related neurologic conditions.
- To assess the interferon induction response and its duration.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen pediatric patients with neurologic illness received intravenous poly (I)-poly (C).
- Serum interferon titers, persistence, and response to subsequent doses were measured.
- Plasma half-life of poly (I)-poly (C) was determined in a subset of patients.
Main Results:
- Peak serum interferon titers ranged from 8 to 500 units/ml.
- Interferon persisted for ≤24 hours; hyporesponsiveness to a second dose lasted seven days.
- The plasma half-life of poly (I)-poly (C) was <30 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Intravenous poly (I)-poly (C) appears safe in pediatric patients.
- The induced interferon titers may be too low for significant clinical antiviral efficacy.
- Further research is needed to optimize interferon induction for therapeutic purposes.
Abstract:
Fifteen children ranging in age from one and one-half to 14 years received intravenous polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid [poly (I)-poly (C)], an interferon inducer. The patients all had serious neurologic illness either directly or circumstatially related to viral infection. Peak titers of interferon in serum ranged from 8 to 500 units/ml in response to doses of poly (I)-poly (C) of 0.1-1.0 mg/kg. Serum interferon persisted for less than or equal to 24 hr after induction. Hyporesponsiveness to a second dose of poly (I)-poly (C) persisted for seven days after initial induction, after which time full response again occurred. The half-life of poly (I) poly (C) in plasma as measured in three patients was less than 30 min. poly (I-poly(C) appears to be safe when given intravenously, but the low titers of interferon induced may limit its clinical usefulness as an antiviral drug.