A Phase I/II Study of Recombinant Interleukin-4 in AIDS and Kaposi's Sarcoma

Inclusion Criteria

Concurrent Medication:

Required:

* Antiretroviral therapy during study treatment only in patients with CD4 count \< 500 cells/mm3 (per 12/30/94 amendment).

Allowed:

* G-CSF for a second occurrence of grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (per 12/30/94 amendment).
* Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents including acetaminophen for drug-related fevers.
* Systemic steroids for no more than 1 week in any 30-day period.
* PCP prophylaxis with TMP/SMX, dapsone, or inhaled pentamidine, if patient has a history of PCP or a CD4 count \< 250 cells/mm3.

Allowed only in patients with CD4 count \< 100 cells/mm3:

* Maintenance doses of ganciclovir, pyrimethamine/sulfa and TMP/SMX for stable, well-controlled opportunistic infections.
* Non-myelosuppressive treatment IND medications.

Prior Medication: Required: PER AMENDMENT 11/20/95:

* Stable dose of antiretroviral therapy required for at least 21 days prior to study entry for all patients. (Changed from - Stable dose of antiretroviral therapy for at least 21 days prior to study entry in patients with CD4 count \< 500 cells/mm3 (per 12/30/94 amendment).

Patients must have:

* AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma.
* PER AMENDMENT 11/20/95: CD4 lymphocyte count \>= 100 but \< 500 cells/mm3. (Changed from - HIV infection.)
* PER AMENDMENT 11/20/95: All Patients will receive antiretroviral therapy. (Changed from - Current antiretroviral therapy IF CD4 count \< 500 cells/mm3 (per 12/30/94 amendment).)
* No active opportunistic infections requiring induction therapy.
* Consent of parent or guardian if less than 18 years of age.

Exclusion Criteria

Co-existing Condition:

Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded:

* Other active malignancies (except basal cell carcinoma of the skin and in situ cervical cancer).
* Alteration in mental status that may prevent compliance.
* Cardiac functional capacity of Class II or worse OR regional wall abnormalities or abnormal ejection fraction on two-dimensional echocardiogram, if performed.

Concurrent Medication:

Excluded:

* Chemotherapy, interferons, or immune modulators for Kaposi's sarcoma.
* Myelosuppressive agents such as induction doses of ganciclovir, Fansidar (pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine), or any other investigational drugs (with the exception of non-myelosuppressive treatment IND medications in specific patients).
* GM-CSF or erythropoietin (except for a second grade 3/4 neutropenia or anemia).
* G-CSF.

Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded:

* History of myocardial infarction or significant arrhythmias.
* History of symptomatic hypoglycemia.

Prior Medication:

Excluded:

* Systemic therapy (including chemotherapy, interferons, and immune modulators) for Kaposi's sarcoma within 4 weeks prior to study entry.