Thalidomide for Treatment of Oral and Esophageal Aphthous Ulcers and HIV Viremia in Patients With HIV Infection

Inclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Allowed: Anti-HIV therapy provided therapy has remained constant in the 4 weeks prior to study entry. Narcotic analgesia after the first week of treatment ONLY IF the patient is not experiencing somnolence. Patients must have: Documented HIV infection or AIDS. Biopsy-confirmed aphthous ulceration of the mouth or esophagus lasting at least 2 weeks. Negative culture of ulcer for Herpes simplex. En face diameter of >= 5 mm for largest aphthous ulcer. Life expectancy of at least 3 months. NOTE: This study is approved for prisoner participation. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded: Known allergy to thalidomide. Grade 2 or worse bilateral peripheral neuropathy. EXCLUDED FOR MAINTENANCE PHASE: Toxicity other than somnolence in acute phase that required discontinuation of drug. Concurrent Medication: Excluded: Acute therapy for opportunistic infection. ddC. Pentoxifylline. Methotrexate, trimetrexate, antineoplastic alkylating agents. Other putative immunomodulators. CNS depressants and/or medications with sedative or hypnotic effect. Systemic and/or oral topical corticosteroids. Systemic chemotherapy for Kaposi's sarcoma or other malignancies. Compounded antibacterial mouthwashes containing anti-infective agents (such as doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, or nystatin). Concurrent Treatment: Excluded: Radiation to head and/or neck. Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded: History of grade 2 or worse bilateral peripheral neuropathy. Change in anti-HIV therapy within 4 weeks prior to study entry. Prior enrollment in ACTG 251 or prior treatment of aphthous ulcers with thalidomide. Prior Medication: Excluded: Systemic and/or oral topical corticosteroids within 1 week prior to first set of bloods drawn. Other putative immunomodulators within 2 weeks prior to study entry. Prior thalidomide for aphthous ulcers.