Using
IL-2 With Low CD4s.
Christine
Katlama reported on study ANSR 082 which is a randomized comparitive open-label
study in 19 centers in France of IL-2 in patients with CD4 below 200 despite
effective HAART. Patients were included in this study if they had CD4 count
between 50-200, if their viral load was below 1000 copies/ml, and on stable
HAART for a minimum of 6 months.
Patients
were randomized to IL-2 +HAART or no IL-2. The IL-2 was given sub-cutaneous 4.5
MIU bid in 4 cycles of 5 days every 6 weeks up to week 24. After 24 weeks IL-2
was given s.c. 9 MIU qd for 5 days every 8 weeks up to week 80. After week 24,
IL-2 was offered to initial control group and if they still fit the inclusion
criteria. 72 patients were randomized and 70 were evaluated. 31 patients in the
IL-2 group completed the 24 weeks on IL-2. Three of 34 patients discontinued: 1
for adverse event, 1 wanted to stop, and 1 for progression to KS. Five patients
reduced their dose.
After 24
weeks, 89% in the control group started IL-2 and 82% in IL-2 group continued
with IL-2. 55% of patients in both groups had a prior AIDS defining event. They
were all on mean duration of HAART for about 18 months. At initiation of HAART
CD4 was about 65. After 6 months on HAART CD4s were 113 in IL-2 group and 89 in
control group. At study entry CD4s were 149 in IL-2 group (n=34) and 138 in
control group (n=36). The % with below 100 CD4s was 15% in the IL-2 group and
22% in the control group.
76% in
the IL-2 group and 89% in the control group had below 200 copies/ml. 18% in the
IL-2 group and 8% in the control group had 200-500 copies/ml. And, 6% in the
IL-2 group and 3% in the control group had 500-1000 copies/ml.
Results. At week
24 by ITT analysis, there was a highly significant difference between the two
groups. The median CD4 count was 220 in the IL-2 group (range 101-394) and 158
(30-281) in the control group. The median increase was 65 (12-228) in the IL-2
group and 18 (-60 to 107) in the control group. The % of patients with CD4
increase of at least 50 was 73% in the 1L-2 group and 22% in the control group.
The % with at least an 80 CD4 increase was 41% in the IL-2 group and 3% in the
control group.
During
the study 6 in the IL-2 group and 2 in control group had transient rise in viral
load above 1000 copies/ml. Within 1 or 2 evaluation points the viral load
returned to below 1000.
There
was a significant increase in the proliferation activity against CMV with 58% in
the IL-2 group who became positive (30% at baseline) compared to 21% (44% at
baseline) in the control group. There was no significant difference between the
2 groups at baseline and week 24 using PPD, tetanus and p24 Ag. There was no
activity at baseline and week 24 against p24.
There
was a significant higher rise both in memory cells (44 in IL-2 group versus 1 in
control group) and naïve cells (27 IL-2 versus 5 in control). Nearly all
patients experienced the expected IL-2 side effects: fever, fatigue, muscle
pain, nausea, rhinitis, sweats, dry skin/mouth, rash, arthralgia, insomnia,
headache. But there was only 1 discontinuation of IL-2 and 5 dose reductions.
Over 90% experienced fever and fatigue.