The Virologic and Immunologic Effects of Cyclosporine as an Adjunct to Antiretroviral Therapy in Patients Treated during Acute and Early HIV-1 Infection

Acute HIV-1 infection is characterized by high levels of immune activation. Immunomodulation with Cyclosporin A combined with antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the setting of acute and early HIV-1 infection has been reported to result in enhanced immune reconstitution. Fifty-four individuals with acute and early infection were randomized to receive ART with 4 weeks of Cyclosporine A versus ART alone. In 48 subjects who completed the study, there were no significant differences between treatment arms in levels of proviral DNA or CD4+ T cell counts. Adjunctive therapy with Cyclosporine A in this setting does not provide apparent virologic or immunologic benefit.