Pentoxifylline (Trental) as a Modulator of Tumor Necrosis Factor and of HIV Replication in Patients With AIDS

Inclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Required: Zidovudine (AZT), didanosine (ddI), dideoxycytidine (ddC), or a combination thereof, at current dosage for the 8 weeks of study treatment. Prophylaxis (e.g., aerosolized pentamidine, trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (TMP / SMX), dapsone for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) if CD4 cell count is < 200 cells/mm3 Allowed: Concurrent maintenance therapy for opportunistic infections. Prior Medication: Required: Zidovudine (AZT), didanosine (ddI), dideoxycytidine (ddC), or a combination thereof, for at least 2 months. Patients must have the following: Diagnosis of AIDS. Documented HIV seropositivity. Ability to give informed consent and willingness to comply with visit schedule and all procedures. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following conditions or symptoms are excluded: Lymphoma or visceral Kaposi's sarcoma. Active peptic ulcer or bleeding disorder. Hemophilia. Known intolerance to pentoxifylline, theophylline, or caffeine. Concurrent Medication: Excluded: Warfarin and heparin. Biological response modifiers (e.g., erythropoietin, interferon, G-CSF, GM-CSF). Cytotoxic chemotherapy. Megestrol acetate. Corticosteroids. Concurrent Treatment: Excluded: Radiation therapy. Blood products or transfusions. Patients with the following are excluded: Presence of an active opportunistic infection. Major surgery within 30 days of study treatment. Prior Medication: Excluded: Biological response modifiers (including interferon, interleukin), corticosteroids, or megestrol acetate within 14 days of first (screening) TNF level. Erythropoietin dependency or within 30 days of study treatment. Prior Treatment: Excluded: Transfusion or blood product dependency or use within 30 days of study treatment.