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Interleukin 2 therapy in infectious diseases: rationale and prospects
Infection
|July 1, 1984
Summary
Interleukin 2 (IL-2) enhances cytotoxic immune responses in lymphocytes from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This supports IL-2
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is characterized by compromised immune function.
- Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a cytokine with known immunomodulatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present data on IL-2's ability to augment immune responses in AIDS patients.
- To provide a rationale for ongoing clinical trials of IL-2 in AIDS.
- To establish a model for evaluating IL-2 in other infectious diseases.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies assessing cytotoxic immune responses.
- Analysis of lymphocyte function in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Main Results:
- Interleukin 2 (IL-2) demonstrated in vitro ability to augment clinically important cytotoxic immune responses.
- Augmentation was observed in lymphocytes from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
Conclusions:
- IL-2 shows potential as a therapeutic immunomodulating agent for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
- The findings support current clinical trials and suggest IL-2's utility in other infectious diseases.
- A model for evaluating IL-2 in infectious diseases is proposed.