The potential place of chloroquine in the treatment of HIV-1-infected patients

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 antir...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical virology 2001-02, Vol.20 (3), p.137-140
Main Authors: Boelaert, Johan R., Piette, Jacques, Sperber, Kirk
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections - drug therapy
Animals
Anti-HIV Agents - pharmacology
Anti-HIV Agents - therapeutic use
Breast-feeding
Chloroquine
Chloroquine - pharmacology
Chloroquine - therapeutic use
Developing world
HIV
HIV Infections - drug therapy
HIV Infections - prevention & control
HIV Infections - transmission
HIV-1 - drug effects
Human immunodeficiency virus 1
Humans
hydroxyurea
Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
Iron - metabolism
Milk, Human - virology
Treatment
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1386-6532
1873-5967
DOI:10.1016/S1386-6532(00)00140-2