Method and compound for the prophylaxis or treatment of an immunodeficiency condition, such as AIDS

Abstract

A method and compound for the prophylaxis or treatment of an immunodeficiency condition, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) includes a glycol derivative. More specifically, the glycol derivative includes diethylene glycol dibenzoate.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of Ser. No. 10 / 335,737, filed Jan. 3, 2003, which claims priority on prior U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 344,055, filed Jan. 3, 2002, both are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is generally directed to the treatment of viral infections, and more particularly to a method and compound for the prophylaxis or treatment of an immunodeficiency condition, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). [0003] AIDS has been reported to be first identified in 1981 among homosexual men and intravenous drug users in New York and California. Shortly after its detection in the United States, evidence of AIDS epidemics grew among heterosexual men, women, and children in sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS quickly developed into a worldwide epidemic, affecting virtually every nation. It is reported that by 2000, an estimated 34...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023] An object of the present invention is to provide a method and compound for the prophylaxis or treatment of an immunodeficiency condition, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), wherein the compound is less toxic and more potent at lower doses (or lower concentrations) than the conventional compounds.

[0028] A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and compound for the prophylaxis or treatment of an immunodeficiency condition, such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which are inexpensive, highly potent, easy to administer to the patients, highly active against the resistant virus, and easy to manufacture.

Problems solved by technology

But while the overall rate of HIV infection seems to be on a downturn, certain populations appear to be at greater risk for the disease.

Moreover, the epidemic has overwhelmed health-care systems, increased the number of orphans, and caused life expectancy rates to plummet.

These problems have reached crisis proportions in some parts of the world already burdened by war, political upheaval, or unrelenting poverty.

Health officials fear that without public education programs, cases of HIV infection will escalate over the next decade, causing the AIDS epidemic in India to dwarf the problems seen in sub-Saharan Africa.

However, public health experts are concerned by the fast-rising number of new infections among intravenous drug users who share infected needles.

The people who buy the blood use unsterile methods to draw blood, including reusing contaminated needles, which can spread HIV infection.

Inhibition of HIV-1 protease disrupts the creation of mature, infectious virus particles from chronically infected cells.

Unfortunately, however, the single targeted approach as stated above, has only been able to target RT or PR enzymes.

More than 50% of the nation's available hospital beds are over crowded with HIV-1 patients, and 99.9% of the HIV-1 patients cannot afford the commercially available antiretroviral drugs.

Even for those who can afford it (<0.1%) there is no HIV-1 staging or managing infrastructure to evaluate therapeutic indices.

The national health status is in a state of emergency that could cripple the national economy and decimate the younger generations.

This is a deadly reality that Ethiopians, Ethiopian HIV-1 experts, and the world at large are currently confronted with.

The other serious problem arising from importing and prescribing non-HHART (highly active retrovirus therapy) drug treatments in Ethiopia is the creation of fertile environment for the emergence of highly virulent, resistant viruses.

This again could bankrupt the economy of Ethiopia.

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