SAN FRANCISCO, SAN DIEGO: ORAL GANCICLOVIR STUDY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

A study of oral ganciclovir seeks two groups of patients: those with CMV retinitis, and also those who are only HIV positive but are found to have CMV in their urine.

(1) One portion of the trial seeks persons with CMV retinitis which has been stabilized with intravenous ganciclovir and is not immediately sight threatening. The study will last 35 days, and those who complete it and for whom the drug works should be eligible to continue receiving oral ganciclovir for free from Syntex Corp.

(2) The other arm of the study seeks persons who are HIV positive, but do not have retinitis. These volunteers will be tested to find those who are excreting CMV in their urine. Those who are will be accepted for a 35-day study to test the effect of different doses of oral ganciclovir on the level of CMV excreted. Because these volunteers will receive little medical benefit from this trial, and need to come for several hospital visits for blood tests, those who complete this wing of the study will receive a stipend of $400.

No placebos will be used. Volunteers will not be allowed to use AZT for the 35 days of this trial, because the two drugs can cause additive toxicities.

To volunteer or to learn more about this study, call Karen Taylor at Mount Zion Hospital and Medical Center, 415/885- 7432.

(Note: This study is also taking place at two other sites in San Francisco, and in San Diego. For more information, see previous announcement in AIDS TREATMENT NEWS #89, October 20, 1989. San Diego volunteers can call 619/543-8080; ask for the pre-screening nurse for oral ganciclovir.)