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Host-Directed Therapy for AIDS
- Raphael B. Stricker, MD; and
- Billi Goldberg
The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:
•Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references
•Type with double-spacing
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Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.
Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.
TO THE EDITOR:
The thoughtful article by Lederman [1] explores the use of host-directed and immune-based therapies as an alternative approach to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. Curiously, the article ignores the most widely used alternative immune-based HIV treatment: topical dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB).
A simple organic compound, DNCB has been used for many years as a skin test reagent by dermatologists [2]. The therapeutic use of topical DNCB in patients with HIV disease was first proposed in 1986. Since then, the immune-boosting effect of this compound has been shown in HIV-infected patients worldwide [3, 4]. Dinitrochlorobenzene is a potent stimulant of delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reactivity through its effect on epidermal Langerhans cells, dendritic cells, and other antigen presenting cells. The delayed-type hypersensitivity response is known to stimulate TH1 cellular immune function that is now thought to play an important role in controlling HIV disease [5].
It is estimated that DNCB is used by thousands of HIV-infected patients around the world at a cost of pennies per week; however, a controlled trial of DNCB in HIV disease has only recently been organized. Lederman's article reflects the stubborn determination of much of the medical community to ignore this promising immune-based therapy for AIDS. I hope that attitude will change.
The Editors welcome submissions for possible publication in the Letters section. Authors of letters should:
•Include no more than 300 words of text, three authors, and five references
•Type with double-spacing
•Send three copies of the letter, an authors' form signed by all authors, and a cover letter describing any conflicts of interest related to the contents of the letter.
Letters commenting on an Annals article will be considered if they are received within 6 weeks of the time the article was published. Only some of the letters received can be published. Published letters are edited and may be shortened; tables and figures are included only selectively. Authors will be notified that the letter has been received. If the letter is selected for publication, the author will be notified about 3 weeks before the publication date. Unpublished letters cannot be returned.
Annals welcomes electronically submitted letters.
- Copyright ©2004 by the American College of Physicians
