ROLE OF CD8-SARCOMA OF HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS( AND IMMUNOSUPPORTIVE CD8+ THERAPIES IN OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS AND KAPOSIS)

CD8+ count has been neglected as a prognostic marker inpatients with i mmune deficiencies yet CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) represent a dominant defense against viruses and malignancies. We examined CD4+ an d CD8+ counts in relation to onset of opportunistic infections and Kap osi's sarcoma. Whereas in patients with AIDS-related complex 80% CD8count range was 500-1300 cells/uL, in AIDS with late complications CD8 + count declined uniformly below 500 cell/uL. Low CD8+/S6F1+ percentag e correlated with deteriorating clinical status inpatients with low CD 4+ and CD8+ counts. Prolonged maintenance of CD8+ above 500 cells/ul ( Relative risk 0.45 per 12 months of maintenance) as well as a higher i nitial CD4+ (Relative risk 0.29 per 100 cells) predicted a longer surv ival after onset of AIDS. CD8+ immunosupportive therapies include labo r-intensive adoptive CD8+ therapies after CD8+ amplification either in bulk culture or after cloning of antigen-specific CD8+, and convenien t interferon-ce administration which may increase CD8+ count in some p atients.