ADMINISTRATION OF 3'-AZIDO-3'-DEOXYTHYMIDINE, AN INHIBITOR OF HTLV-III/LAV REPLICATION, TO PATIENTS WITH AIDS OR AIDS-RELATED COMPLEX

Robert Yarchoan, Kent J. Weinhold, H. Kim Lyerly, Edward Gelmann, Robert M. Blum, Gene M. Shearer, Hiroaki Mitsuya, Jerry M. Collins, Charles E. Myers, Raymond W. Klecker, Phillip D. Markham, David T. Durack, S. Nusinoff Lehrman, David W. Barry, Margaret A. Fischl, Robert C. Gallo, Dani P. Bolognesi, Samuel Broder

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670 Scopus citations

Abstract

In a 6-week clinical trial 4 dose regimens of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT), a thymidine analogue with potent anti-viral activity against HTLV-III in vitro, were examined in 19 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC). AZT was given intravenously for 2 weeks, then orally for 4 weeks at twice the intravenous dose. AZT was well absorbed from the gut and crossed the bloodbrain barrier. Therapeutic levels were maintained with 5 mg given intravenously or 10 mg given orally every 4 h. Treatment was not limited by side-effects, the commonest of which were headaches and depression of white-cell counts. 15 of the 19 patients had increases in their numbers of circulating helper-inducer T lymphocytes (p<0·001) during therapy, 6 who were anergic at entry showed positive delayed type hypersensitivity skin test reactions during treatment, 2 had clearance of chronic fungal nailbed infections without specific anti-fungal therapy, 6 had other evidence of clinical improvement, and the group as a whole had a weight gain of 2·2 kg. Also, with the highest dose regimen cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells for HTLV III became negative.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)575-580
Number of pages6
JournalThe Lancet
Volume327
Issue number8481
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 15 1986
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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