COMPOUND Q: CONTINUING GOOD NEWS

Anecdotal reports and at least one published article point
to continued optimism around the use of trichosanthin, or
compound Q, against HIV. AIDS TREATMENT NEWS has heard from at
least three people who have experienced significant improvement
in blood values and HIV-related symptoms since trying compound Q.
All three were given the drug under the supervision of a
knowledgeable physician, and none of them experienced any serious
side effects.

However, many instances of toxicity have been attributed to
trichosanthin, and the physicians most familiar with the drug
strongly advise against self-administration. Drs. Larry A.
Waites, Vera S. Byers and Alan S. Levin have issued a public
letter explaining this advice; their offices can be reached at
415/788-4535. Their clinic is willing to consult with other
physicians interested in trichosanthin infusion information.

In addition to positive anecdotal reports, Project Inform
has published an "interim update" of its "underground" trial of
last year, as well as a description of a new trichosanthin
protocol designed by the recently merged Project Inform Community
Research Alliance (PICRA) and sanctioned by the FDA. Both
reports appear in the May 1990 issue of PI Perspective. The
first study organized by Project Inform used trichosanthin
imported from China. Several buyers' clubs around the U. S. have
since started to make the same product available. The PICRA
study will use trichosanthin supplied by Genelabs, a California
pharmaceutical manufacturer. (To obtain the May issue of PI
Perspective, call Project Inform, 415/558-9051, or 800/334- 7422
toll-free from within California, or 800/822-7422 toll-free from
elsewhere in the U. S.)

Meanwhile, four other sites in the San Francisco area
continue other trichosanthin studies, also using drug provided by
Genelabs. PICRA and San Francisco General Hospital are each
expected to report on their trials at the International
Conference later this month.