The immunomodulatory effects of thalidomide on human immunodeficiency virus-infected children

The safety and immune effects of low-dose thalidomide treatment (3 mg/kg/day for 28 days) were evaluated in a study involving 8 South African human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children. The children were 7-69 months old and in disease stages A1-C3. Thalidomide therapy did not affect virus load, even though none of the children was receiving antiretroviral therapy. Thalidomide stimulated CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood, which increased expression of the activation markers CD38 and human leukocyte antigen DR and of the memory cell marker CD45RO. The frequency of HIV gag-specific CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood increased in 3 of 4 children who were evaluated during treatment with thalidomide. Clinical adverse events were mild. In this study, thalidomide was found to be safe and well tolerated and caused significant immunomodulation at a low dose. This is the first report describing use of an oral drug that may enhance HIV-specific CD8+ T cell function in HIV-infected children.