Placebo-controlled trial of prednisone in advanced HIV-1 infection

Abstract

Short-term prednisone administration is well tolerated and reasonably safe in advanced HIV-1 disease and decreases immune activation without effects on HIV-1 RNA levels or CD4 cell counts. These results suggest that, in stable HIV-1 disease, these immune activation markers are more likely consequences of but not inducers of HIV-1 replication.

The Effect of Chloroquine on Immune Activation and Interferon Signatures Associated with HIV-1

“…34 Similar increases in plasma HIV levels had been seen in earlier studies of immunosuppressive agents: cyclosporine A, 35 prednisone, 36 and thalidomide 37 in untreated HIV infection. The mechanism whereby chloroquine enhances HIV replication is unclear.…”

PML-IRIS in patients with HIV infection

“…28 Steroid therapy has been used safely in immunocompromised patients with HIV infection at low dosages for durations of up to 8 weeks. 38 All the same, steroids should be used cautiously since experimental data suggest that it may increase the reservoir of HIV-infected cells. 39 A major limitation of data collection from published literature is the availability of clinical information and the variation in data reporting.…”

A Rare Skin Manifestation in a Patient With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

“…The main treatments are corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents (e.g., azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and methotrexate) [16,17]. These agents may cause a rapid progression of HIV; however, a short course of corticosteroids appears to be safe [7,17].…”

“…The main treatments are corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents (e.g., azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and methotrexate) [16,17]. These agents may cause a rapid progression of HIV; however, a short course of corticosteroids appears to be safe [7,17]. Once BP has improved clinically with no new blisters as well as a reduction in inflammation and pruritus, a careful tapering of the prednisone over approximately 4 months can be initiated according to the clinical response of the patient [18].…”