ABSTRACT:

Purpose: To investigate the effect of 3-oxotirucalla-7, 24-dien-21-oic acid on CD8+ T cell recovery in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease.
Methods: The increase in the rates of CD8+ T cells over 48 weeks following treatment with 3- oxotirucalla-7, 24-dien-21-oic acid was investigated. Plasma HIV-1 load was measured by Versant™ HIV-1 RNA 3.0 branched chain DNA assay while flow cytometry was used for blood CD4 cell counts. For the analysis of the data obtained, Stata version 9.0 was employed.
Results: 3-Oxotirucalla-7, 24-dien-21-oic acid treatment increased CD8+ T cell count from a median of 89 % at baseline to 99 % at 48 weeks. The proportion of patients with CD8+ T cell count < 90 % decreased from 50 % at baseline to 1 %. There was a similar rate of phase 1 CD8+ T cell recovery and greater rates of phase 2 recovery in patients with baseline CD8+ T counts < 50 cells/μL. Among those that achieved CD8+ T cell count > 500 cells/μL at 48 weeks, 23 % had baseline CD8+ T cell counts of < 50 cells/μL. However, the proportion of the patients that attained CD8+ T count of 200 cells/μL at 48 weeks was lower than those with higher baseline CD4 cell counts.
Conclusion: 3-Oxotirucalla-7,24-dien-21-oic acid treatment induces greater tendency for CD8+ T cell recovery in patients with baseline CD8+ T cell counts < 50 cells/μL during 48 weeks of treatment. Therefore, 3-oxotirucalla-7,24-dien-21-oic acid is a promising agent for CD8+ T cell count recovery in patients with HIV infection.