Multi-center clinical traials of Neurotropin were carried out employing protocol made by the Committee of clinical studies on acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The patients, 29 hemophiliacs with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, consisting of 2 cases of AIDS, 11 of AIDS related complex (ARC) and 16 of asymptomatic carrier (AC), were studied in 9 institutes. Their ages ranged from 6 to 67 years (mean 23.4 years).
Neurotropin was administered intravenously and/or orally for 10.3 months in average. The results were as follows:
1. Global improvement rating: “Moderately improved or more” was observed in 18.2% (2/11) of ARC cases and 31.3% (5/16) of AC. “Slightly improved or more” was observed in 63.6% (7/11) of ARC cases and 43.8% (7/16) of AC, but not in AIDS cases.
2. The improvement ratings of clinical symptoms, immunological and hematological parameters were 46.2% (6/13), 20.7% (6/29) and 44.8% (13/29), respectively, of all cases. Of the clinical symptoms, generalized lymphadenopathy, diarrhea and fatigue were improved in 67% of AIDS and ARC cases.
After the treatment, the absolute number of OKT 4 positive lymphocytes and OKT 4/8 ratio had no significant changes comparing to the pretreatment values.
3. Platelet increased number significantly in 7 cases with thrombocytopenia both 3 and 6 months after the treatment with Neurotropin, and hemorrhagic tendency was also improved in 3 out of the 7 cases.
4. Twenty eight cases had no side effects by Neurotropin therapy. Only one of the ARC case had mild pruritus 3 months after the treatment.
These data revealed that Neurotropin had beneficial effects on hemophiliacs with HIV infection.
