Pentoxifylline (Trental) as a Modulator of Tumor Necrosis Factor and of HIV Replication in Patients With AIDS

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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To determine whether pentoxifylline lowers tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels in AIDS patients. Pentoxifylline decreases tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and therefore should decrease such TNF-intensified events as cachexia, enhanced HIV expression, and inhibition of zidovudine (AZT) activity.

Detailed Description
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Pentoxifylline decreases tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and therefore should decrease such TNF-intensified events as cachexia, enhanced HIV expression, and inhibition of zidovudine (AZT) activity. Twenty-seven AIDS patients with elevated TNF and less than 300 CD4 cells are given pentoxifylline 3 times a day for 8 weeks. If no significant changes are seen in virologic, immunologic, or related measures, 27 additional patients are given a higher dose of pentoxifylline 3 times a day for eight weeks.

Official Title
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Pentoxifylline (Trental) as a Modulator of Tumor Necrosis Factor and of HIV Replication in Patients With AIDS

Conditions
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HIV Infections

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Pentoxifylline


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Required: Zidovudine (AZT), didanosine (ddI), dideoxycytidine (ddC), or a combination thereof, at current dosage for the 8 weeks of study treatment. Prophylaxis (e.g., aerosolized pentamidine, trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (TMP / SMX), dapsone for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) if CD4 cell count is < 200 cells/mm3 Allowed: Concurrent maintenance therapy for opportunistic infections. Prior Medication: Required: Zidovudine (AZT), didanosine (ddI), dideoxycytidine (ddC), or a combination thereof, for at least 2 months. Patients must have the following: Diagnosis of AIDS. Documented HIV seropositivity. Ability to give informed consent and willingness to comply with visit schedule and all procedures. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following conditions or symptoms are excluded: Lymphoma or visceral Kaposi's sarcoma. Active peptic ulcer or bleeding disorder. Hemophilia. Known intolerance to pentoxifylline, theophylline, or caffeine. Concurrent Medication: Excluded: Warfarin and heparin. Biological response modifiers (e.g., erythropoietin, interferon, G-CSF, GM-CSF). Cytotoxic chemotherapy. Megestrol acetate. Corticosteroids. Concurrent Treatment: Excluded: Radiation therapy. Blood products or transfusions. Patients with the following are excluded: Presence of an active opportunistic infection. Major surgery within 30 days of study treatment. Prior Medication: Excluded: Biological response modifiers (including interferon, interleukin), corticosteroids, or megestrol acetate within 14 days of first (screening) TNF level. Erythropoietin dependency or within 30 days of study treatment. Prior Treatment: Excluded: Transfusion or blood product dependency or use within 30 days of study treatment.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment


Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Drug: Pentoxifylline|nan|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Pentoxifylline, Virus Replication, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Drug Evaluation, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Cachexia, Drug Synergism