The enigma of the clandestine association between chloroquine and HIV‐1 infection. Issue 10 (4th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chauhan, A; Tikoo, A
• Is Part Of: HIV medicine. Volume 16:Issue 10(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 585
• Page End: 590
• Publication Date: 2015-08-04
• Subjects: HIV infections -- Treatment -- Periodicals; HIV-positive persons -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Treatment -- Decision making -- Periodicals; 616.9792
• DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12295
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-2662

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="hiv12295-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>The antimalarial drug chloroquine (CQ) dampens the immune system and is used in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. CQ also shows antiviral activity against nonenveloped and enveloped viruses, including HIV‐1. Persistent immune activation in chronic HIV‐1infection leads to CD4 T‐cell depletion. CQ is envisioned to attenuate immune activation and virus activity in HIV‐1‐infected patients. The role of CQ in immune activation and virus activity is discussed here.</p> </sec> <sec id="hiv12295-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>To elucidate the effect of CQ on immune activation, a retrospective review of published clinical trials, <italic>in vivo</italic> experimental studies in animals, and the most relevant <italic>in vitro</italic> observations in HIV‐1‐infected cells, together with observations from our own laboratory studies, was carried out and the findings discussed.</p> </sec> <sec id="hiv12295-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>In a few clinical studies and animal experiments, CQ was ineffective in decreasing immune activation and HIV‐1 infection. <italic>I</italic><italic>n vitro</italic>, CQ markedly increased HIV‐1 infection in astrocytes and other non‐CD4 cells.</p> </sec> <sec id="hiv12295-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The use of CQ in HIV‐1‐infected patients is questionable. The evidence for a dampening of immune activation by CQ is inconclusive.</p> </sec> </abstract>