AIDS closer to becoming a treatable disease: antibody-CD4 chimaera in clinical trials; AZT effective in most cases of HIV infection
Article Abstract:
Recent developments in AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) research have been encouraging for the treatment, if not the cure, of this fatal disease. Antibody-CD4 chimera, referred to as an immunoadhesin, is a hybrid antibody genetically engineered by Genentech. This immunoadhesin consists of two parts: the CD4 receptor which is the point of entry for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus which causes AIDS); and the IgG1 antibody which is the substance responsible for activating the cells of the immune system to attack virus cells. Immunoadhesin has proved to be longer lasting than soluble forms of CD4 which remain in the bloodstream for only about one hour. Genentech has announced that immunoadhesin remains in the blood of rabbits for more than four days and inhibits cells with the CD4 receptor in cultures. Clinical trials of immunoadhesin on humans have begun. Its performance will be measured against AZT, the primary drug used to treat AIDS which was approved for use by the government two years ago and is manufactured by Burroughs-Wellcome. Results of recent studies with AZT indicate that it may also benefit patients with ARC (AIDS-related complex) and HIV infection with a low T-cell count (cells of the immune system). The use of AZT at these earlier, asymptomatic stages of the disease seems to postpone the development of more serious symptoms. The implication is that the use of AZT may enable victims of HIV to live longer and will allow the disease to be treated as a chronic illness rather than an immediately fatal condition. Broader usage of AZT is anticipated and was reflected in a sharp rise in the manufacturer's stock. The annual cost of this drug is estimated to be between $8,000-10,000 per patient. New legislation is currently being considered to extend third-party coverage for those insured and to provide funds for the treatment of uninsured patients.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1989
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AIDS now a tractable disease?
Article Abstract:
The use of Zidovudine (AZT, 3'-azido-3' deoxythimidine) as a prophylactic drug is a major development in delaying the onset of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) in individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, which causes AIDS). Current research indicates that about half of the HIV patients treated with AZT develop AIDS a few years later. Because it is not synthetically-derived there will be limitations in the availability of AZT; it is produced from the sperm of herring. It is anticipated that the cost of the drug for each patient will be greater than $6,000 per year. This expense will also limit the availability of AZT, especially to HIV patients without health insurance. There is a government proposal to provide $30 million for treatment of the uninsured, but the costs of AZT therapy are expected to be astronomical, greater than $1,000 million per year. Immunoadhesin, a synthetic immunotherapeutic drug which would remove HIV from the blood and thus reduce the infection rate, has been developed by Genentech. Approval has been given to begin clinical trials of immunoadhesin on humans in 1990.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1989
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Reservoirs dog AIDS therapy
Article Abstract:
The article discusses developments made in the field of AIDS drug therapy to combat the increasing numbers of people failing to respond to existing treatments.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2000
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