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From: Richard.DeWald@f70.n382.z1.fidonet.org (Richard DeWald)
Newsgroups: sci.med.aids
Subject: wonder drug?
Message-ID: <37009@shemp.CS.UCLA.EDU>
Date: 16 Jul 90 14:06:42 GMT
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Note:	Copyright 1990 by Daniel R. Greening.  Permission granted for
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In an article of <11 Jul 90 18:20:25 GMT>, 
island!green%island.uu.net@uunet.UU.NET (Robert Greenstein) writes:

 RG>Does anyone have any information about a drug currently undergoing 
 RG>clinical
 RG>trials in Arizona called dpc? This may also be known as immunothiol and
 RG>is manufactured by Eli Lilly in France. It has supposedly been 
 RG>producing
 RG>"spectacular" results. It also may be available for compassionate use.

Imuthiol (Diethyldithiocarbamate) is an immunomodulator.  It is being tested 
alone and in combination with Retrovir (Zidovudine; AZT).  I have it listed as 
being tested by the Merieux Institute of Miami Florida.  As of my latest 
information it is in Phase III testing.

Immunomodulators generally are drugs that alter the immune response by either 
augmenting or reducing the ability of the immune system to produce specific 
antibodies or sensitized cell that react with the antigen that initiated their 
reaction.  This is fooling with mother nature and is very dangerous.  Of 
course, dangerous therapies are perfectly appropriate with AIDS.

Phase III is the "extensive clinical trial" phase of drug development.  This 
means that large studies are going on with volunteer patients.  The drug is 
being administered by practicing physicians to those suffering from AIDS.  It 
is also being tested in pediatric patients.  It is being tested with severe 
late-stage PWA's and with early (what we used to call ARC patients).  Phase III 
usually lasts a couple of years.

That's all I have.  Hope it helps.

Richard DeWald, BSN Student
Univ. of TX - Austin.

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