Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor and Zidovudine: A Phase I Study of Concurrent Administration in Patients With AIDS and Severe ARC

To administer colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for 4 weeks to AIDS and advanced AIDS related complex (ARC) patients who have been receiving zidovudine (AZT) therapy, in order to obtain data on short-term effectiveness, safety, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and tolerance of combined treatment with the two drugs. Persons infected with HIV virus may undergo a long latency or persistent virus blood levels which may be present before any symptomatic illness. These individuals could, therefore, benefit from therapy with an effective antiretroviral agent. AZT, which is a powerful inhibitor of human retrovirus, has been approved for management of patients with symptomatic HIV infection. GM-CSF not only stimulates the bone marrow, it enhances the function of mature blood cells and has been found to enhance the ability of AZT to suppress HIV replication in vitro (test tube). Combination therapy with GM-CSF and AZT may lower complications as well as the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection.