Treatment of HTLV-III/LAV-infected patients with D-penicillamine
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
12-3-1986
Journal
Arzneimittel-Forschung/Drug Research
Volume
36
Issue
10
Abstract
13 asymptomatic, HTLV-III/LAV-infected male homosexuals with generalized lymphadenopathy were treated with oral D-penicillamine. All patients had depressed T4/T8 ratios and 12 had impaired T-cell funciton. An escalating dose schedule was employed over 2-6 weeks with doses from 0.5 to 2 g/day. Generalized skin rashes developed in 4 patients which required discontinuation of therapy in one patient. Two patients developed mild transient elevations of hepatocellular enzymes. Reversible decreases in lymph node size, absolute lymphocyte counts, and T-cell lymphoproliferative responses were observed in the majority of patients without change in baseline T4/T8 ratios. All 10 patients treated for at least 2 weeks exhibited evidence for suppression of HTLV-III/LAV replication; complete inhibition of virus expression was seen in 60% of patients treated for 6 weeks. Three of the patients treated for 6 weeks remained culture negative for at least 6 weeks after stopping the drug. D-Penicillamine appears to be an effective drug for suppressing HTLV-III/LAV expression in vivo. Its potential role in the treatment of patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex (ARC) will require further evaluation.
APA Citation
Schulof, R., Scheib, R., Parenti, D., Simon, G., DiGioia, R., Paxton, H., Sztein, M., Chandra, P., Courtless, J., & Taguchi, Y. (1986). Treatment of HTLV-III/LAV-infected patients with D-penicillamine. Arzneimittel-Forschung/Drug Research, 36 (10). Retrieved from https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/smhs_medicine_facpubs/5080