Levels of interleukin-15 in plasma may predict a favorable outcome of structured treatment interruption in patients with chronic human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Amicosante, Massimo; Poccia, Fabrizio; Gioia, Cristiana; Montesano, Carla; Topino, Simone; Martini, Federico; Narciso, Pasquale; Pucillo, Leopoldo P et al. · J Infect Dis · 2003

other · Level V

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Abstract

Structured treatment interruption (STI) may help to alleviate the problems associated with long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. We analyzed the role that baseline levels of cytokines in plasma play as markers of a favorable outcome of STI. Two groups of patients were defined: STI responders and STI nonresponders. STI responders showed a higher baseline concentration of interleukin (IL)-15 in plasma than did STI nonresponders and showed lower levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha during STI. No differences were observed in levels of IL-2, IL-7, or interferon-alpha in plasma. Our data show that (1) levels of TNF-alpha in plasma correlate with HIV viremia and (2) monitoring baseline levels of IL-15 in plasma allows for the identification of a favorable outcome of STI.

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