Endogenous interferon and triglyceride concentrations to assess response to zidovudine in AIDS and advanced AIDS-related complex

To improve evaluation of new antiretroviral drugs in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), sensitive biological markers that accurately predict response to treatment are needed. Two possible markers are endogenous interferon (E-IFN), which is a cytokine involved in the pathophysiology of AIDS, and serum triglycerides (TG), which are raised in patients with AIDS, possibly reflecting enhanced cytokine activity. E-IFN, TG, body-mass index, CD4 count, and HIV p24 were measured in 19 patients (15 with AIDS, 4 with AIDS-related complex), who were part of the phase II licensing trial of zidovudine (ZDV). 10 received ZDV and 9 received placebo. Rapid, significant, and sustained declines from initial values in E-IFN and TG concentrations were observed in ZDV patients but not in placebo patients. Baseline values of E-IFN and TG concentrations after 4 months on ZDV treatment were both important contributors to long-term survival. The findings suggest that these indicators of abnormal cytokine expression may be useful measures of not only disease severity but also efficacy of antiretroviral therapy in AIDS.