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1992.04.27 :  Research -- Low-Dose Oral Interferon Alpha for AIDS

Contact: James Hadley (301) 496-5717
April 27, 1992

     Low-dose oral interferon alpha in its various forms,
including Kemron, is not recommended at this time for treatment
of persons with HIV infection, according to a statement released
by the AIDS Research Advisory Committee to the National Institute
of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
     The committee concluded that research studies--ongoing and
completed--do not support an earlier report that Kemron is an
effective therapy.
     In the statement, the congressionally mandated committee of
non-government experts also "strongly encourages HIV-infected
patients to seek treatment with therapies whose efficacies have
been established in well-designed, controlled clinical trails." 
The committee also recommends that NIAID "encourage the
completion and analysis of ongoing studies" of low-dose
interferon alpha and provide an updated report within a year.
     HHS Secretary Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., said, "This report
provides state-of-the science information on a controversial
treatment--Kemron--and other forms of low-dose interferon alpha. 
These recommendations are vital to patients with HIV infection
who want to make informed medical decisions, along with their
physicians, about their treatment options."
     Gerald Medoff, M.D., chair of the committee, said, "We share
the disappointment of persons infected with HIV that the later
studies of low-dose oral interferon alpha have not confirmed its
efficacy.  However, we are pleased that more and more therapeutic
options continue to emerge from well-designed, controlled
clinical trials."  Dr. Medoff is co-director of the infectious
disease division in the department of internal medicine at
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo.
     The advisory committee, composed of medical professionals,
researchers and persons with HIV infection, advises NIAID on
treatment research and dissemination of the results of that
research to the patient and professional communities.
     In response to the perception that many HIV-infected persons
were using Kemron or other forms of low-dose oral interferon
alpha, the committee requested that NIAID staff review all
currently available information on this treatment and prepare a
report.  The report summarizes 13 studies, including initial
studies by Dr. Davy Koech and colleagues from the Kenyan Medical
Research Institute.
     Dr. Koech's studies reported disappearance of HIV antibodies
in some patients as well as dramatic improvement in CD4
lymphocyte counts and clinical symptoms.  However, these results
have not been shown in subsequent investigations around the
world.

     Sources of information in the report include published
reports and abstracts, as well as personal communication with
researchers about completed or ongoing, but as yet unpublished,
investigations.

     NIAID is the lead institute at the National Institutes of
Health responsible for conducting, supporting and coordinating
many aspects of federally sponsored research on HIV infection and
AIDS.  NIH is one eight Public Health Service agencies within
HHS.
                                ###

A copy of the full report is available from AIDS Clinical Trials
Information Service, 1-800-TRIALS-A.