The number of HIV DNA-infected mononuclear cells is reduced under HAART plus recombinant IL-2

It is common opinion that, in addition to potent antiretroviral regimens wh ich effectively reduce plasma viremia, new strategies should be developed t o ensure the reduction of cell-associated HIV DNA load together with HIV RN A plasma levels. The present study explored whether the number of provirus- infected cells can be reduced by combined antiviral and immunomodulatory re gimens. Thus, 14 naive patients (with CD4 >400/mu l and plasma HIV RNA copi es > 5000/ml) were randomly assigned to receive highly active antiretrovira l therapy (HAART) alone or HAART plus rIL-2. Plasma viremia (measured by a commercial RT-PCR assay) and the number of provirus-infected cells (measure d by an endpoint cell dilution PCR assay) were monitored at the enrollment and after 12 weeks of treatment. The results indicate that while HAART and HAART plus rIL-2 are both able to significantly reduce plasma viremia after 12 weeks of treatment, a significant reduction of the number of provirus-i nfected cells can be achieved only by treatment with HAART plus rIL-2. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.