Treatment Trials

85 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions

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COMPLETED
Adjuvant Cytokine Therapy to Treat Pulmonary Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infection
Description

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) are ubiquitous organisms that cause isolated pulmonary disease in otherwise healthy patients with yet undefined susceptibilities. Patients typically present with a history of chronic cough, eventually progressing to hemoptysis, fever, and hypoxia. With half or more of all patients failing standard three-drug therapy, this is an insidious disease with a poor prognosis. Under the natural history protocol of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection (NTM; #01-I-0202), 46 patients with diagnosed pulmonary MAC disease are being studied. Numerous studies have suggested that a dysregulation in cytokine production may make these patients susceptible to mycobacterial infection. Cytokines are particularly important in the activaction of macrophages, which help to clear mycobacterial infection. Interferon gamma 1b (Actimmune) and GM-CSF (Leukine) are two cytokine therapies that have been approved in the treatment of chronic granulomatous disease and post-transplantation hematopoietic reconstitution, respectively. A number of in vitro studies suggest that either or both of these therapies may help to clear MAC infection. Given the poor outcomes of therapy and the persistent, debilitating nature of the disease, new therapies are desperately needed, and many are being tried without benefit of scientific foundation. Currently, there are no prospective trials that show any effect of these drugs in the lung delivered subcutaneously. This protocol proposes to perform a pilot study to evaluate the effects, if any, of these macrophage stimulating cytokines in the context of ongoing pulmonary MAC infection. Aims: To determine the local and systemic effect, if any, of adjuvant IFN gamma and GM-CSF in pulmonary MAC patients. Methods: Fifteen patients will be randomized into three treatment groups of five patients each. The first group will receive a standard drug regimen, based on the 1997 ATS guidelines. The second and third groups, in addition to receiving the standard therapy, will also receive three months of (IFN{gamma}) and GM-CSF, respectively. All patients will undergo bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) at the beginning of the study, after three months, and at six months. In addition to obtaining traditional subjective and objective clinical measures, both proteomic and genomic analysis of the BAL will be performed to determine if cytokine therapy effects any detectable change in the lungs. In vitro studies on typ...

COMPLETED
A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Phase II Inhaled Interferon Gamma-1b and Antimycobacterials to Treat Pulmonary Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infections
Description

This study will test the safety and effectiveness of inhaled interferon gamma-1b and oral antibiotics for treating mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection of the lungs. Patients 18 years of age or older with MAC infection of the lungs who 1) have been previously treated for MAC, or 2) have moderate or severe lung disease due to MAC that has not been previously treated may be eligible for this study. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Group 1 will receive 500 micrograms of interferon gamma-1b 3 times a week for 48 weeks by inhalation. Group 2 will inhale a placebo (inactive substance) according to the same regimen. In addition, all patients will receive standard MAC treatment with three antibiotics-clarithromycin or azithromycin, ethambutol and rifampin or rifabutin-taken by mouth times a week. Patients will come to the clinic for a screening visit, baseline visit, 1 month after beginning treatment, and at 3-month intervals thereafter until the end of the study. During these various visits, they will undergo the following tests and procedures: * Medical history and physical examination, including height and weight measurements, heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and temperature * Possibly computed tomography (CT) and X-ray of the lungs * Sputum sample * Pulmonary function studies * Blood and urine tests Patients' eyes will be examined monthly to check for side effects of ethambutol, and hearing and balance will be tested to check for side effects of clarithromycin or azithromycin. At the baseline visit, the patient or caretaker will be trained to use a nebulizer (a special breathing device) to take the study medication.

COMPLETED
A Study of Rifabutin, Used Alone or With Ethambutol in the Prevention of Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Bacteremia in Patients With AIDS
Description

To optimize Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) prophylaxis in AIDS patients by measuring serum rifabutin levels and adjusting the dose accordingly. To combine rifabutin with ethambutol to examine the effect of combination therapy in preventing or delaying the incidence of MAC bacteremia in this patient population.

COMPLETED
A Study of Azithromycin in the Prevention of Mycobacterium Avium Complex Disease (MAC) in HIV-Infected Patients
Description

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of azithromycin administered once a week in the prevention of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in severely immunocompromised HIV-infected patients with a CD4 count \< 100 cells/mm3.

COMPLETED
Rifabutin Therapy for the Prevention of Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Bacteremia in AIDS Patients With CD4 Counts = or < 200: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Description

The primary objective of this trial is to assess the safety and the relative benefit of rifabutin monotherapy in preventing or delaying the incidence of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) bacteremia in AIDS patients with CD4 counts less than or equal to 200, as compared to placebo, and to assess if survival is prolonged in patients who receive rifabutin prophylaxis.

COMPLETED
Tolerance, Safety, and Activity of Rifapentine Alone and in Combination Therapy in AIDS Patients With Mycobacterium Avium Complex Bacteremia.
Description

To determine the antimicrobial activity and tolerability of rifapentine alone and in combination therapy in patients with AIDS and disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) bacteremia. To determine the pharmacokinetics of rifapentine and its metabolite, 25-desacetyl, alone and in combination therapy. To determine the pharmacokinetics of azithromycin and clarithromycin (and its 14-OH metabolite) in combination therapy.

COMPLETED
A Study of Viracept in AIDS Patients With Mycobacterium Avium Complex Disease (MAC)
Description

The purpose of this study is to see if it is safe and effective to give Viracept to AIDS patients who are being treated for MAC.

COMPLETED
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Comparative Study of Azithromycin Versus Clarithromycin in Combination With Ethambutol for the Treatment of Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Infection in AIDs Patients
Description

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of two different doses of azithromycin in combination with ethambutol for the treatment of patients with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection, and to determine whether an azithromycin-containing regimen is at least as safe and effective as the same regimen containing clarithromycin..

COMPLETED
A Randomized Study of Daily and Intermittent Prophylactic Regimens for the Prevention of Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) and Fungal Infections in HIV-Infected Patients
Description

PRIMARY: To determine the efficacy of azithromycin and rifabutin alone and in combination for the prevention of disseminated Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) infection in HIV-infected patients. To determine the efficacy of daily versus weekly fluconazole for the prevention of deep fungal infections in this patient population. SECONDARY: To determine the incidence of bacterial (including mycobacterial) infections, cryptosporidiosis, and toxoplasmosis in azithromycin versus non-azithromycin containing regimens. To determine the incidence of oropharyngeal and vaginal candidiasis in patients treated with daily versus weekly fluconazole. To compare survival and outcomes of primary endpoints in the treatment arms.

COMPLETED
A Three-Arm Comparative Trial for the Treatment of MAC Bacteremia in AIDS: A Clarithromycin/Ethambutol Regimen Containing Rifabutin (450 Mg) or Rifabutin (300 Mg) or Placebo
Description

To compare the efficacy of clarithromycin/ethambutol with placebo or with rifabutin at two different doses in reducing colony-forming units (CFUs) by 2 or more logarithms in patients with Mycobacterium avium Complex bacteremia and maintaining this response until 16 weeks post-randomization. To assess survival and comparative tolerability among the three treatment regimens.

COMPLETED
An Open, Multicenter, Randomized, Dose-Ranging Study of Azithromycin in the Treatment of Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare Complex Infection (MAC) in Patients With Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Description

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of two doses of azithromycin given chronically for the treatment of Mycobacterium avium bacteremia in AIDS patients.

COMPLETED
An Open-Label Study of the Use of Azithromycin in Patients With Symptomatic Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare Complex (MAC) Infection Failing Current Therapy
Description

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of azithromycin given chronically for the treatment of Mycobacterium avium (MAC) bacteremia in patients failing or intolerant of current available MAC therapy.

COMPLETED
Rifabutin Therapy for the Prevention of Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Bacteremia in HIV Positive Patients With CD4 Counts = or < 200: Treatment IND Study
Description

Primary: To provide rifabutin to HIV positive patients in an attempt to prevent or delay Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) infection by a daily dose of rifabutin. Secondary: To further characterize the safety of rifabutin monotherapy in preventing or delaying MAC bacteremia in HIV positive patients with CD4 counts = or \< 200.

COMPLETED
A Randomized Controlled Prophylactic Study of Clofazimine To Prevent Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infection in HIV Disease
Description

This study will examine the effectiveness of clofazimine in the prophylaxis of Mycobacterium avium complex infection in HIV infected individuals who are at risk to develop this untreatable opportunistic disease. In the absence of truly effective antiretroviral therapy, a potential mode of treatment of patients with HIV infection is to prevent the development of the life-threatening opportunistic infections. Current studies demonstrate a possible efficacy of clofazimine in the prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), the most common AIDS-defining opportunistic infection. Future studies will examine the potential for prophylaxis against the other opportunistic infections. This proposal hopes to define the role of prophylactic clofazimine in preventing the currently untreatable Mycobacterium avium complex infection. AMENDED: To include prophylaxis for Asymptomatic and ARC.

COMPLETED
Evaluation of the Therapeutic Benefit of r-metHuIFN- Gamma in AIDS Patients With Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium-Intracellulare (MAI) Infection: A Multi-Centered Pilot Study
Description

To examine the effectiveness of subcutaneous gamma interferon in reducing severity of Mycobacterium avium- intracellulare (MAI) bacillemia episodes in AIDS patients in an open-label dose-randomized multi-center pilot clinical investigation. To evaluate the safety of gamma interferon given by subcutaneous injection (SC) in the AIDS patient in the presence and absence of AZT therapy.

COMPLETED
Rifabutin Therapy for the Prevention of Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Bacteremia in AIDS Patients With CD4 Counts = or < 200: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Description

The primary objectives of this trial are: To compare the safety of oral rifabutin versus placebo in the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) bacteremia in AIDS patients with CD4 counts less than or equal to 200 cells/mm3. To investigate the incidence of MAC in these patients. A secondary objective is to compare clinical response, quality of life (Karnofsky), and survival between these two groups.

COMPLETED
A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial of a Rifabutin Regimen in the Treatment of Mycobacterium-Avium Complex (MAC) Bacteremia in Patients With AIDS
Description

To determine if a drug regimen containing rifabutin will eradicate or decrease the numbers of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) organisms in blood, improve the symptoms associated with MAC infection, and increase survival in patients with AIDS. To assess the safety of the drug regimen.

COMPLETED
Subcutaneously Administered Interleukin-12 Therapy in HIV-Infected Patients With Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infection
Description

Disseminated infection with Mycobacteria avium complex (MAC) is one of the most common systemic bacterial infections in advanced stages of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Current therapy for disseminated MAC infection in HIV patients consists of multidrug chemotherapy regimens are often accompanied by toxicities, and many patients become intolerant of one or more agents. Macrolides are the essential component of successful therapy, yet macrolide resistant strains are being recognized with increasing frequency. Thus, there is an interest in identifying additional therapeutic interventions for disseminated MAC in HIV-infected patients. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a central, regulatory cytokine in cell-mediated immunity. IL-12 enhances the cytolytic activity of cytotoxic T and NK cells, and induces interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) production from T and NK cells. This open-label Phase I study is designed to evaluate the safety and immunologic/microbiologic effects of interleukin-12 administration in HIV-infected patients with concomitant disseminated Mycobacterium avium (MAC) infection. Fifteen patients with documented disseminated MAC will be randomized to receive double-blinded placebo or escalating doses of IL-12 in addition to anti-MAC chemotherapy and standard anti-retroviral therapy for six weeks. IL-12 will be administered subcutaneously, with escalating doses every month over the dose range of 30 ng/kg, 100 ng/kg, and 300 ng/kg, or until an individual maximum tolerated dose (IMTD) is reached. Should a patient receive 2 consecutive blood cultures negative for MAC during the course of the study at a lower dose, then he/she will not be further dose escalated. Those patients receiving placebo after 6 weeks will be crossed over to receive the full treatment course of IL-12. Each new dose or dose escalation will take place on an inpatient basis. Once a patient is clinically stable at a dose, the patient will be maintained at that dose as an outpatient for the remainder of the month. Total IL-12 administration will not exceed 12 weeks, or 24 total doses.

COMPLETED
A Comparison of Three Drug Combinations Containing Clarithromycin in the Treatment of Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Disease in Patients With AIDS
Description

To compare the efficacy and safety of clarithromycin combined with rifabutin, ethambutol, or both in the treatment of disseminated Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) disease in persons with AIDS, including individuals who have or have not received prior MAC prophylaxis. It is believed that effective therapy for MAC disease in patients with AIDS requires combinations of two or more antimycobacterial agents in order to overcome drug resistance and the unfavorable influence of the profound immunosuppression associated with AIDS. Data suggest that clarithromycin may have substantial activity in two- or three-drug combination regimens with clofazimine, rifamycin derivatives, ethambutol, or the 4-quinolones.

COMPLETED
Study of Four Different Treatment Approaches for Patients Who Have Mycobacterium Avium Complex Disease (MAC) Plus AIDS
Description

To compare the safety and efficacy of two doses of clarithromycin in combination with ethambutol and either rifabutin or clofazimine for the treatment of disseminated Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) disease in AIDS patients. Recommendations have been issued for AIDS patients with disseminated MAC to be treated with at least two antimycobacterial agents and for every regimen to include a macrolide (clarithromycin or azithromycin). However, the optimal treatment for disseminated MAC remains unknown.

COMPLETED
Evaluation of Treatment for Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Infection in HIV-Infected Patients
Description

To assess the feasibility of using culture and staining techniques to quantify tissue Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) burden in bone marrow. To correlate and compare changes in MAC bone marrow burden with quantitative MAC blood culture results at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. MAC is easiest to detect in the blood, although doctors generally believe that MAC in blood is just "spill-over" from infection of other parts of the body. Traditionally, studies of potential treatments for MAC focus only on MAC changes in the blood. This study compares MAC changes in blood to those in bone marrow, which is another tissue where MAC is often found.

COMPLETED
The Safety and Effectiveness of Clarithromycin and Rifabutin Used Alone or in Combination to Prevent Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) or Disseminated MAC Disease in HIV-Infected Patients
Description

To compare the efficacy and safety of clarithromycin alone versus rifabutin alone versus the two drugs in combination for the prevention or delay of Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) bacteremia or disseminated MAC disease. To compare other parameters such as survival, toxicity, and quality of life among the three treatment arms. To obtain information on the incidence and clinical grade of targeted gynecologic conditions. Persons with advanced stages of HIV are considered to be at particular risk for developing disseminated MAC disease. The development of an effective regimen for the prevention of disseminated MAC disease may be of substantial benefit in altering the morbidity and possibly the mortality associated with this disease and its treatment.

COMPLETED
The Safety and Effectiveness of Clarithromycin Plus Zidovudine or Dideoxyinosine in the Treatment of Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Infections in Children With AIDS
Description

To evaluate three doses of clarithromycin in children with AIDS and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection who are receiving concurrent antiretroviral therapy. Before more extensive evaluation of this promising drug for treatment of MAC infection in children can be done, it is important to study the pharmacokinetics of this drug in this population, to get information regarding its use in pediatric patients receiving currently available antiretroviral drugs, and to get information on the antimycobacterial activity of this drug.

COMPLETED
A Study to Evaluate the Effects of Azithromycin on MAC Disease Prevention in HIV-Positive Patients
Description

This study is designed to find out whether HIV-positive patients whose immune systems have improved after receiving anti-HIV treatment should take azithromycin to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease. This study also examines the possibility of putting off MAC prevention treatment in patients who respond well to anti-HIV drug therapy. Azithromycin is approved for the prevention of MAC disease in people with HIV and low CD4 cell counts. However, some people who have taken azithromycin have been found to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria (germs that can grow despite the presence of drugs used to kill them). It is not known whether the risks associated with taking azithromycin outweigh the risk of getting MAC disease.

COMPLETED
Effects of MAC Preventive Therapy on Disease-Causing Bacteria in HIV-Infected Patients: A Substudy of CPCRA 048
Description

Some people who have taken azithromycin to prevent MAC (Mycobacterium avium Complex, a bacterial infection common in HIV-infected persons) have been found to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria (germs that grow despite the presence of drugs used to kill them). The purpose of this study is to see if people who take azithromycin carry more antibiotic-resistant bacteria than people who have chosen to delay MAC preventive therapy. When bacteria like Streptococcus (a type of bacteria that causes pneumonia and meningitis) are frequently exposed to antibiotics, the bacteria can become resistant to the drugs. MAC preventive therapy uses antibiotics, but this can make it difficult to treat other infections caused by bacteria that have become resistant in HIV-infected persons. If MAC preventive therapy is delayed, Streptococcus in the body may be less likely to develop resistance. Therefore, if the patient does get a Streptococcus infection, it will be easier to treat because it is not resistant to the antibiotics.

COMPLETED
A Study to Examine the Effects of Stopping Preventive Therapy for Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium Complex (DMAC) in HIV-Positive Patients
Description

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of stopping preventive therapy for DMAC in HIV-positive patients who (1) have been treated for DMAC for at least 12 months and are now free of any signs of DMAC for at least 16 weeks, and (2) have improved immune systems (CD4 cell counts greater than or equal to 100 cells/mm3) due to anti-HIV drug therapy. DMAC is a serious and sometimes life-threatening infection that usually affects only HIV-positive patients with CD4 cell counts (cells of the immune system that fight infection) less than 50 cells/mm3. It is recommended that people who are likely to get DMAC be placed on preventive medications which help reduce the risk of infection. New anti-HIV combination drug therapies can increase CD4 cell counts and can reduce the level of HIV in the blood. When CD4 counts are increased, risk of DMAC infection is less. This study examines whether it is possible to stop preventive therapy for DMAC when CD4 counts are high without placing individuals at risk for getting DMAC again.

COMPLETED
A Study to Learn More About MAC Disease and the Use of Anti-HIV Drugs in Patients With Advanced HIV Infection
Description

The purpose of this study is to determine if infection with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) occurs in other parts of the body before it is found in the blood. This study also evaluates the relationships between the amount of HIV in the blood, immune system functions, and the presence of MAC infection. HIV-positive patients are at risk for MAC infection because their immune systems have been weakened by HIV. It is hoped that aggressive treatment with anti-HIV drugs may improve their immune systems enough to prevent against MAC.

COMPLETED
The Effects of Treatment for Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) on the Cells of HIV-Infected Patients
Description

To determine if treatment of MAC infection in HIV-1 infected persons is associated with the decreases in plasma levels of TNF-alpha. Infection with MAC is a poor prognostic indicator in persons with AIDS. Evidence suggests that this poor outcome is not simply a reflection of greater immune impairment in AIDS patients with MAC infection, but rather may be a direct or indirect consequence of infection with mycobacterium. Survival of AIDS patients with MAC is shorter than those without MAC. Studies show that treatment for MAC improves the survival of MAC infected patients to nearly the survival of AIDS patients without MAC. Treatment of MAC with clarithromycin containing regimens is associated with decreased symptoms and prolonged survival. There is evidence, however, that mycobacterial infection may enhance propagation of the human immunodeficiency virus through mechanisms that may involve enhanced expression of pro inflammatory cytokines. It is unclear to what extent cytokine abnormalities contribute to this symptom complex and to what extent treatment of MAC infection will reverse these cytokine abnormalities.

COMPLETED
A Phase II Safety and Efficacy Study of Clarithromycin in the Treatment of Disseminated M. Avium Complex (MAC) Infections in Patients With AIDS
Description

This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of clarithromycin given orally at 1 of 3 doses to treat disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infections (MAC) in patients with AIDS. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is thought to be the most common disseminated bacterial opportunistic infection in AIDS, with clinical prevalence estimates ranging from 15 to 50 percent of all AIDS patients. Clarithromycin, a new macrolide antimicrobial agent, has demonstrated activity against MAC both in the laboratory and in animals. Clinical experience treating AIDS patients with clarithromycin for disseminated MAC is limited. However, early studies have indicated few adverse effects and some improvement in clinical symptoms scores and Karnofsky performance scores over placebo treated patients.

COMPLETED
A Phase II/III Trial of Rifampin, Ciprofloxacin, Clofazimine, Ethambutol, and Amikacin in the Treatment of Disseminated Mycobacterium Avium Infection in HIV-Infected Individuals.
Description

To compare the effectiveness and toxicity of two combination drug treatment programs for the treatment of disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection in HIV seropositive patients. \[Per 03/06/92 amendment: to evaluate the efficacy of azithromycin when given in conjunction with either ethambutol or clofazimine as maintenance therapy.\] Disseminated M. avium infection is the most common systemic bacterial infection complicating AIDS in the United States. The prognosis of patients with disseminated M. avium is extremely poor, particularly when it follows other opportunistic infections or is associated with anemia. Test tube studies and clinical data indicate that the best treatment program may include clofazimine, ethambutol, a rifamycin derivative, and ciprofloxacin. Test tube and animal studies indicate that amikacin is a bactericidal (bacteria destroying) drug that works better when used with ciprofloxacin. Its role in treatment programs is a key issue because of toxicity and because it must be administered parenterally (by injection or intravenously).