Clinical, immunological, and virological effects of ampligen, a mismatched double-stranded RNA, in patients with AIDS or AIDS-related complex

Lancet. 1987 Jun 6;1(8545):1286-92. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(87)90543-5.

Abstract

10 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS-related complex (ARC), or lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS) were given 200-250 mg ampligen, a mismatched double-stranded (ds) RNA with in-vitro antiviral activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), twice a week for up to 18 weeks, without side-effects or toxicity. In all 9 patients who were positive for HIV RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells before therapy, levels became undetectable between days 10 and 40 of the start of therapy. 6 of the 7 patients with ARC or LAS also showed a progressive reduction in HIV load as measured by co-culture assays. All 10 patients had augmentation of delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reactions. Other changes noted during ampligen therapy included an increase in or maintenance of numbers of helper-inducer T lymphocytes, improvements in HIV-related symptoms, rises in titre of neutralising antibodies against HIV, and restoration of proper functioning of the natural lymphocyte antiviral dsRNA-dependent (2'-5'-oligoadenylate/RNA-ase L) pathway. Thus, in the short term, ampligen seems to have the dual ability to restore immunological function and to control HIV replication.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Complex / immunology
  • AIDS-Related Complex / microbiology
  • AIDS-Related Complex / therapy*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / immunology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / microbiology
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / therapy*
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Antigens, Viral / analysis
  • HIV / immunology
  • HIV / isolation & purification
  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Antigens
  • Humans
  • Poly I-C*
  • Poly U*
  • Polyribonucleotides / therapeutic use*
  • RNA, Double-Stranded / therapeutic use*
  • RNA, Viral / analysis

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • HIV Antibodies
  • HIV Antigens
  • Polyribonucleotides
  • RNA, Double-Stranded
  • RNA, Viral
  • Poly U
  • poly(I).poly(c12,U)
  • Poly I-C