A Phase I/II Open-Labelled Trial of Intravitreal Ganciclovir Salvage Therapy for AIDS Patients With Active CMV Retinitis Who Are Intolerant of Systemic Therapy

AMENDED: 04-12-91 Population of patients changed FROM those who are intolerant of systemic therapy with NON-sight-threatening CMV retinitis TO those AIDS patients intolerant of systemic therapy with CMV retinitis. AMENDED: 8/8/90. Changes made in neutrophils count from \< 500 to \< 750 cells/mm3. Nonrandomized eyes will not be used for the primary efficacy evaluation. ORIGINAL DESIGN: To determine the effectiveness and safety of ganciclovir (DHPG) therapy in AIDS patients suffering from active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection of the retina of the eye (retinitis) when the drug is administered directly into the fluid-filled vitreous cavity of the eye by injection. CMV retinitis is the most frequently seen opportunistic infection of the eye in AIDS patients, and left untreated can lead to severe visual loss and blindness. While systemic administration of DHPG has been shown to be an effective treatment for CMV retinitis, the chronic administration required may be complicated by decreased blood cell counts (granulocytopenia) which may require discontinuation of treatment. While withholding treatment may allow recovery from the granulocytopenia, interruption of therapy may result in reactivation of the retinitis. Injection of DHPG into the vitreous cavity of the eye may be of benefit to severely neutropenic patients with CMV retinitis.