Announcements

** Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Treatment Trial in Cities Across U. S.
A multicenter trial will test the Bristol-Myers drug BV- ara-U
(other names: Brovavir; SQ 32,756) as a treatment for herpes zoster.
In laboratory tests, this drug is effective against zoster in
concentrations up to one thousand times less than the concentrations of
acyclovir (Zovirax) required. The drug has already been in several
human trials; doses greater than or equal to those used in this study
have been given to several hundred people. Volunteers will be
randomized to receive either 40 mg of BV-ara-U once per day, or 800 mg
of acyclovir five times per day. The treatment lasts for 10 days.
All volunteers will be seen daily for the first ten days, then once
per week for three weeks. Later, there will be monthly telephone
interviews for 11 months to check for development of any zoster
complications or recurrences.
Volunteers must be entered in this study within 72 hours of
development of their lesions. Also, the zoster must be localized, and
not involve the trigeminal nerve. Exclusion criteria include: any
systemic anti-herpes therapy within two weeks before study entry;
concomitant use of cimetidine, heparin, interferon, probenecid, or high-
dose corticosteroids; and certain abnormal blood counts or blood-
chemistry values.
The trial is now recruiting or expected to begin soon in the
following cities (note -- this list could change):
Albuquerque, Augusta, Baltimore, Bethesda, Birmingham, Boston (4 sites),
Charlotte, Charlottesville, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver,
Galveston (2 sites), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Martinez, New York
(4 sites), Oakland, Portland, Rochester, Salem (VA), San Diego, San
Francisco, Seattle (2 sites), St. Louis, Stony Brook, Syracuse, Toledo,
Washington (2 sites), Wauwatosa, and Worcester.
For more information, or to locate the site nearest you, call the
AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service, 800/TRIALS-A. [San Francisco
note: To enroll in San Francisco, call Jay Lalezari, M. D., 476-6356.
Dr. Lalezari will also answer questions about this study from people
elsewhere.]
** IGF-1: Stanford University Weight-Loss Treatment Study
A study of IGF-I (Insulin-like growth factor-I), a naturally-
occurring hormone, is now enrolling volunteers with AIDS at the Palo
Alto Veterans Administration Hospital. According to the researchers,
animal studies have suggested that IGF-I may prevent or reverse protein
and muscle loss in severe illness, and may improve the functioning of
the immune system.
This study requires six visits, including a two-week stay in the
Study Unit at the Palo Alto VA Hospital, and use of a special diet,
which will be provided. The study will pay $500 to those who complete
it.
To be eligible, volunteers must have AIDS, have lost 5 percent to
30 percent of their normal body weight, be using AZT, ddI, or ddC, have
no untreated infections, and not have any type of cancer.
For more information, call Steven Lieberman, M. D., 415/493-5000
ext. 4148.
** New York: Managing HIV Disease Seminar, March 18
A one-evening seminar, "Managing HIV Disease: Clinical
Observations and Research Protocols" will take place March 18, 6:00 p.m.
to 10:00 p.m. at the New York University Medical Center auditorium.
Attendance is limited to 250, and advance registration by March 16 is
required. The registration fee is $25.
Topics include vaccines; combination antiviral therapy; hypericin;
566C80; nursing in HIV care and in clinical research; clinical study
protocols; gynecological manifestations in women; and people of color
and HIV disease. The event is sponsored by The National League for
Nursing, The AIDS Treatment and Data Network, Burroughs- Wellcome
Company, and American Preferred Prescription. Continuing education
credit is available.
For more information, or to register by phone or fax, contact
either: Marck Fedor, The National League for Nursing, 800/669-1656, ext.
123; or Kenneth Fornataro, The AIDS Treatment and Data Network, 212/268-
4196, or 212/643-0870 (Spanish), or 212/268-4199 (fax).
** Canada: Phone Number for Clinical Trials Information
The Canadian HIV Trials Network, a service of the Canadian
government, maintains a computerized registry of AIDS/HIV clinical
trials in Canada. Canadians can call 604/631-5327, collect if
necessary, or fax requests to 604/631-5210. Information can be given
over the phone, or mailed if requested, in French or English.
This registry includes a brief description of each trial, centers
running the trial, brief inclusion/exclusion criteria, and where to
phone (locally) for more information.
The office is open weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Pacific
time.
** ACT UP Presidential Project
The ACT UP Presidential Project is following the Presidential
campaign trail, raising AIDS issues (and gay/lesbian/bisexual issues)
along the way. Their goal is to make all the major candidates address
these issues, and so far all of the main Democratic candidates have
issued position papers on AIDS. The Presidential Project recently
helped to form ACT UP/South Dakota and confronted Presidential
candidates there, while raising AIDS awareness at the same time with a
condom distribution.
The Presidential Project is working on a very low budget and would
appreciate support. According to their press release, "Your money will
go directly toward getting our issues off the lips of the candidates,
into the news and onto the minds of Americans everywhere." They need
volunteers, donations, frequent flier miles, in kind help, or housing,
and can be reached at: ACT UP Presidential Project, P. O. Box 34673,
Martin Luther King Station, Washington, DC, 20043-4673. Phone:
202/328-AIDS.