HGTV43 by Enzo Biochem is an "antisense" therapy designed to produce T-cells that resist infection by HIV. It is in Phase I trials.
M87o by EUFETS AG is a gene therapy that makes T-cells resist infection by HIV. It is being studied in a Phase I trial.
Modified CD4 and CD8 cells by Cell Genesys are genetically modified to block attachment by HIV.
RRz2 by Johnson & Johnson is a ribozyme that attacks HIV’s tat gene. It is in Phase II trials.
VRX496 by VIRxSYS is a genetic factor that infects T-cells and attacks HIV’s genetic code. It is in a Phase I study.
IMMUNE STIMULATORS
We can think of most antiviral drugs as "offense", attacking the virus to slow down its multiplication. Another approach to treating HIV infection is "defense", strengthening the immune response of people who are infected. This Fact Sheet describes new immune stimulators being developed.
CYTOKINES
Some of these treatments use the body's own chemical messengers (cytokines) to increase the immune system's response to HIV. Different cytokines carry different messages to cells of the immune system. Some cytokines tell a cell to start multiplying; others can tell a cell to self-destruct.
Interferon exists in the body in several forms. Hemispherx Biopharma is testing Ampligen, a form of interferon, in Phase II and Phase III trials. It is supposed to activate some of the cell's own defenses against viruses.
The best-known cytokine is interleukin-2 (IL-2, Aldesleukin, Proleukin) by Chiron Corporation. See Fact Sheet 472 for more information on Interleukin-2. It is currently in Phase III trials. Bayer Corporation is studying Bay 50-4798, a modified recombinant form of IL-2, in Phase II trials.
Multikine by Cel-Sci Corporation, is a mixture of several different cytokines. It is in Phase I human trials.
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is an immune system protein that is over-produced in immune disorders. Advanced Biotherapy is studying a TNF-alpha blocker in a Phase I trial.
VACCINE-LIKE TREATMENT
Another approach to stimulating the immune system is similar to vaccination, except that it is used in people who are already infected with HIV. HRG214 by Virionyx is a genetically engineered group of antibodies to HIV. It is called a "passive immuno-therapeutic pharmaceutical." HRG 214 is in Phase II trials.
A recent study showed that a combination of vaccines against HIV and interleukin-2 (IL-2) increased immune responses to HIV and allowed some people to stop antiviral therapy for up to a year.
A novel therapeutic vaccine is DermaVir. It is applied to the skin. It is in Phase I trials. Another new therapeutic vaccine is VIR201. It is in Phase I/IIa trials.
OTHER IMMUNE MODULATORS AVR118 by Advanced Viral Research showed good results against AIDS wasting and anorexia in a Phase I/II study.
HspE7 by StressGen Biotechnologies is being tested in Phase II and Phase III trials for tumors related to human papillomavirus (HPV, see fact sheet 510).
Immunitin (HE2000) by Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals is a new drug that works on an infected person's immune system. It is designed to strengthen the "humoral" immune response which is responsible for producing antibodies. HE2000 is being tested in Phase I/II trials.
IR103 is a combination of Remune by the Immune Response Corporation, which stimulates an immune response to HIV, and Amplivax by Hybridon which uses gene technology to enhance immune responses. IR103 is in a Phase I trial.
MDX010 is an artificial antibody product. Medarex is testing it against HIV in Phase II trials.
Murabutide is under study by Dr. Georges Bahr in France. It uses fragments of bacteria to stimulate the overall immune response. Murabutide is given by injection. Phase I results, reported late in 2001, were promising.
Resveratrol is a chemical found in several plants and the skin of red grapes. It protects plants against pathogens and may have other immune-boosting properties. It is being studied in a Phase I trial in people with HIV.
Reticulose by Advanced Viral Research Corporation is a nucleic acid that stimulates the cell-killing arm of the immune system. It is administered as a subcutaneous (beneath the skin) injection. Early clinical trials showed that patients receiving Reticulose had increases in their CD4 and CD8 cells, weight increases, and fewer opportunistic infections than patients receiving placebo. No toxic side effects have been reported yet. Reticulose is in Phase III trials.
SP-01A by Samaritan Pharmaceuticals normalizes (reduces) levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. A Phase III study is being developed.
Tucaresol by GlaxoSmithKline is an immune stimulator in Phase I trials.
AIDS Factsheet 
