Using the Drug Thalidomide to Stimulate T Cells in HIV-Infected People

In patients with chronic HIV infection, HIV replication and abnormalities in immune function persist following treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Specifically, costimulatory T cell interactions are impaired. The immune modulatory drug thalidomide was recently found to costimulate T cells. Pharmacologic T cell costimulation may compensate for the T cell deficiencies in people with HIV disease and improve immune function. This study will test whether thalidomide treatment enhances HIV and cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific immunity in patients with HIV and CMV, and will evaluate the effect of thalidomide on HIV replication.

In this study, 40 HIV and CMV infected patients on HAART and 40 HIV uninfected CMV seropositive controls will be randomly assigned to low dose thalidomide or placebo treatment for 28 days. T cell responses and HIV replication and genetic diversification will be assessed.

Inclusion criteria

• HIV-infected for at least 5 years prior to study entry
• CD4 count of 300/mm3 or above
• Pre-HAART nadir CD4 count of 300/mm3 or less
• CMV infection
• HAART for 12 months prior to study entry
• Same effective HAART regimen for 3 months prior to study entry
• HIV viral load less than 200 copies/ml
• Clinically stable

Exclusion criteria

• Active opportunistic infection
• Females of childbearing potential