Interleukin 1 and 2 production in homosexual men: a controlled trial of therafectin (SM-1213), a possible immunomodulator

Patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are susceptible to a variety of opportunistic pathogens which require intact cellular immunity for control and eradication. We evaluated interleukin 1 and 2 production in 12 homosexual men without AIDS but with evidence of altered cell‐mediated immunity and serologic evidence of infection with human T‐cell lymphotrophic virus type III (HTLV‐III), the etiologic agent of AIDS and found production of both factors diminished compared to heterosexual controls. Therafectin (SM‐1213) is a new agent which selectively activates macrophages and stimulated interleukin 1 production in vitro. Therafectin was administered to these same 12 patients in a double‐blind, placebo controlled trial. We failed to find any significant changes in their immunologic status including interleukin 1 or 2 production.