The potential place of chloroquine in the treatment of HIV-1-infected patients |
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Authors: | Johan R. Boelaert Jacques Piette Kirk Sperber |
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Affiliation: | Unit for Renal and Infectious Diseases, Algemeen Ziekenhuis Sint-Jan, B-8000 Brugge, Belgium. j.r.boelaert.brugge@unicall.be |
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Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Chloroquine has been reported to be endowed with anti-HIV-1 activity. We previously found its anti-HIV-1 activity to be additive to that of of the hydroxyurea plus didanosine combination. OBJECTIVES: Here we wish to present reported data on chloroquine's effects other than its antiretroviral activity, that may be of benefit in the therapy of HIV-1-infected individuals. RESULTS: (1) Chloroquine exerts an inhibitory effect on several AIDS-opportunistic pathogens, at least in vitro and, in some cases, in murine infections. (2) The drug exerts an inhibitory effect on the synthesis of several pro-inflammatory cytokines that may play a pathogenic role in the progression of HIV infection. (3) The drug has the potential to restrict tissular iron accumulation that may play a negative role in HIV infection. (4) The drug has practical advantages, as it is widely distributed, inexpensive and not stigmatizing. (5) We hypothesized that the drug, if given to HIV-positive breast-feeding mothers, may be of potential benefit in decreasing the rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1. CONCLUSION: in view of the above-given data, combination therapy with chloroquine warrants clinical studies in HIV-1-infected patients, mainly in the setting of resource-poor countries. |
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Keywords: | Chloroquine HIV Developing world Treatment Breast-feeding |
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