I tested positive for HIV when the tests became available in 1985, through
tracing I can confirm exposure in 1981. From 1982 through 1992, I was in a
committed relationship until my other half died of MAC. While my other half was
on NRTI's for the last 4 (?) years of his life, we never practiced "safe sex"
in our relationship, and I was the party most at risk for re-exposure to HIV.

In 1996 my CD4 cell count dropped below 200 and due to medical problems I was
defined as having AIDS. I went through 3 combination regiments and finally
found one that I could tolerate and also worked to bring my CD4 count up to
390. I continued on the medications until 1999, then stopped. I had no medical
problems until September of 2003 when I developed my first genuine OI, PCP,
followed in November by KS lesions. Viral genotyping was done and resistance to
NNTRI's was noted. I have gone back to a drug regiment which had worked very
well in the past, but my CD4 count has been expectedly slow to rise from it's
low of 20 to it's current 80.

I have spent a good part of the last few weeks researching, what for me is an
old topic, TH1/TH2 (cellular/humoral) immune responses and cytokine/chemokine
reactions in HIV infected persons. Outside of depressingly old (1995-1998)
articles of working theories and trial results of single agent treatments, I
can find little.

I believe that one of the main reasons I outlived my partner was re-exposure to
the virus constantly stimulating a TH1 immune response to fight off the new
exposure, as well a managing my initial one. I feel this position is supported
by the early vaccine trials which showed a therapeutic benefit in persons
already infected with HIV.

I also understand the interdependent relationships between TH1 and TH2
cytokines and chemokines. I believe that better HIV management and immune
restoration may be possible through the use of not a single cyto/chemokine
treatment, but balanced application of these agents and their antibodies to
regulate higher or lower than normal levels.

In addition to direct application of these agents, I understand the roles of
several nutrients in producing cytokines and chemokines.

I am distressed to find that the medical/drug community forgot the lesson of
AZT, and until recently shelved research into new approaches in favor of new
flavors of already established drugs.

I have three questions that I didn't run across answers for in my searches:

1) Have there been any improvements in clinical or diagnostic procedures
since 1995 to allow for easier assessment of cytokine and chemokine levels?
2) Is anyone looking into multiple cyto/chemokine treatment as a line of
research?
3) Is anyone doing research in micronutrient level management and
supplementation?

Any pointers gratefully accepted.

On 29 May 2004 08:02:17 GMT, waxncats@aol.com (WaxNcats) wrote:

snip...
Probably ELISPOT is the best in the new technology. However, testing
of cytokines remains a primarily research tool. I'm sure others here
more familiar with the technology can discuss this question better!

The other issue is Tissue! Since these molecules work very locally
(autocrine/paracrine), doing a blood test doesn't necessarily tell you
what is going on in the lymph tissue or in the brain, say. However,
they can have their uses.

Yes. IL7 is being looked at in combo with other cytokines. I'm not so
sure it's a great idea tho as some data showed it caused problems. It
probably depends a LOT on timing. Low-dose IL2 I think makes sense and
may be helpful in your situation IF you have an undetectable viral
load (at least below 50). Of course, G-CSF (neupogen) is used fairly
often.

Other cytokines are being looked at--I think IL18? This one appears to
be associated, when increased, with faster progression. Anybody have
further information?

I'd love to see intranasal administration of low dose combination
cytokine therapy as a delivery method.

Jon Kaiser did a fascinating study on this presented as a poster at
the most recent CROI. See:
http://www.retroconference.org/2004/cd/Abstract/494.htm

They found an increase in CD4 count among the active treatment group.

However, we need more data in this area. This is why the Foundation
for Integrative AIDS Research (FIAR) was formed. For more info, see:
http://aidsinfonyc.org/fiar

George M. Carter

WaxNcats wrote:
If you're into "neutriceuticals" you might try a combo of amino acids
called "Juven." It's terribly expensive, but I got Kaiser to pay for
it, Medi-Cal covers it and I believe New York's ADAP covers it.

Some people have a no rise in cd4s, some a modest rise and some have had
quite a dramatic rise. Anyway, it also protects against lipodystrophy
and helps maintain muscle mass. Seems t take about 2-3 months before
any appreciable rise is noted.

Baby Peanut may relate his experiences on low-dose interleukin 2.

80 is a helluva lot better than 20, especially if it's sustained to let
some other naive cells turn into memory/effector cells. But you still
need to get to >150 to take you out of the major OI range. You sound
like you probably know this.

See above, about Juven.

B/