(atdn) thalidomide

AIDS Treatment Data Network (ATDN) Thalidomide
December 1, 1994

Treatment Review #15; December 1994 Thalidomide, a drug that was once prescribed as a sleeping pill, was banned in the early 1960s after it was found to cause deformed limbs in the children of women who took it early in pregnancy. Researchers have found that it may be a useful drug in treating symptoms of HIV infection, including wasting. Thalidomide is believed to work by interfering with the production of tumor necrosis factor, or TNF. It may also have other effects. TNF is a chemical produced by the immune system to fight tumors and infections. TNF levels are often high in people with AIDS. High TNF levels are associated with more rapid progression to AIDS and with the development of HIV related central nervous system disease. High levels of TNF are thought to contribute to HIV wasting syndrome. Celgene Corp. has started Phase II testing of its Synovir brand of thalidomide to treat weight loss in AIDS patients. The drug is used by some people with AIDS in the US, Canada and Brazil. Good results have been reported by individuals participating in the trial organized by Rockefeller University in New York City, particularly in controlling wasting and increasing weight and muscle. For information about thalidomide trials, call The Network. It may also be possible to get the drug if your doctor agrees to ask the drug company for it.

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Copyright © 1994 -AIDS Treatment Data Network, Publisher. All rights reserved to AIDS Treatment Data Network. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AIDS Treatment Data Network. Email AIDS Treatment Data Network Information in this article was accurate in December 1, 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.