Umbrella Study for HIV Infected Adults Enrolled in NIAID-Funded Interleukin-2 Studies

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a protein found naturally in the blood that helps boost the immune system. The purpose of this study is to provide long-term treatment and monitoring of HIV infected people enrolled in NIAID-funded studies investigating the use of laboratory-made IL-2 for the treatment of HIV infection.

IL-2 is a biological response modifier that can improve the body's response to disease. It is hoped that IL-2 treatment can help restore CD4 cell counts and immune function in people whose immune systems have been damaged by HIV. Over the last 10 years, NIAID has sponsored a number of important studies of IL-2 in HIV infected people; many of these trials are ongoing. This study was developed in an effort consolidate these separate, smaller trials into one larger study so that results between the trials can be shared and used to develop future protocols. This study is an umbrella study that will provide long-term administrative support, treatment, and monitoring for ongoing Phase I and II IL-2 trials and their participants. It is primarily intended for patients in the extension phases of any previous NIAID Clinical Center HIV Program (NIAID/CCMD) intramural research protocols in which IL-2 therapy continues to be offered. Blood collection will occur through a patient's participation in this study. Participants will continue to follow the protocol in which they originally enrolled. A desired therapeutic goal or "CD4 plateau" will be used in most cases to help clinicians determine when a participant requires additional IL-2. In general, if a participant has two or more consecutive CD4 counts below the CD4 plateau, additional IL-2 will be administered to that patient. In maintaining uniformity among the many trials being consolidated under this trial, the frequency and nature of study visits will be solely dictated by this umbrella study. Participants will also be asked to join an optional substudy: Interrupted Versus Continuous Antiretrovirals Involving Randomization from the Umbrella Study (ICARUS).