Abstract

Interleukin-2 is a cytokine that regulates the proliferation and differentiation of lymphocytes. In preliminary studies, intermittent infusions of interleukin-2 led to increases in CD4 counts in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and more than 200 CD4 cells per cubic millimeter. We conducted a controlled study to evaluate the long-term effects of such therapy on both CD4 counts and the viral burden.