A Phase II Multicenter Study Comparing Antiretroviral Therapy Alone to Antiretroviral Therapy Plus Cytosine Arabinoside (Cytarabine; Ara-C) for the Treatment of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Infected Subjects

Inclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Allowed: Local intralesional chemotherapy for mucocutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma. Topical antifungals, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, fluconazole, and amphotericin B for treatment of mucosal and esophageal candidiasis. Foscarnet for newly developed CMV infection, only after discussion with the protocol chair. Prophylactic and maintenance therapy for other opportunistic infections, provided patients are considered clinically stable. No more than 1000 mg/day acyclovir for herpes simplex. Antibiotics for bacterial infections as clinically indicated. Antipyretics, analgesics, and antiemetics. Concurrent Treatment: Allowed: Local radiation therapy for mucocutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma. Patients must have: HIV infection. Confirmed PML. No other current active opportunistic infections requiring systemic therapy. Life expectancy of at least 3 months. NOTE: A durable power of attorney is recommended where severe neurologic or psychiatric impairment can be foreseen while the patient is on study. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded: Current active cryptococcal meningitis, cytomegaloviral encephalitis, toxoplasmosis encephalitis, CNS lymphoma, or neurosyphilis. NOTE: Patients on maintenance therapy for cryptococcal meningitis or toxoplasmosis encephalitis that has been stable for 4 months are permitted. Conditions that seriously increase risk of a surgical procedure (e.g., coagulopathy, severe thrombocytopenia). Any other disease that would interfere with evaluation of the patient. Other life-threatening complications likely to cause death in < 3 months. Concurrent Medication: Excluded: Ganciclovir. Interferon. Systemic chemotherapy other than Ara-C (unless specifically allowed). Antiretroviral medications other than AZT, ddI, or ddC. Patients with the following prior conditions are excluded: History of allergy or intolerance to G-CSF. Prior Medication: Excluded: Any prior Ara-C. Excluded within 14 days prior to study: Ganciclovir or foscarnet. Interferon. Antiretroviral medications other than AZT, ddI, or ddC. Experimental medications for treatment of PML.