Thiazolidinediones could be an effective treatment for HIV-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

摘要

HIV-associated progressive multi-focal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder that Leads to disability and death from fulminant damage to cerebral white matter. PML is caused by human polyoma JC virus, an almost ubiquitous virus normally kept in check by the immune system. PML had been common prior to the advent of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), and now some cases are being seen in the context of HAART failure and also immune reconstitution syndrome, where a patient's HAART-restored immune system attacks brain tissue. Currently available treatments such as interferon are often ineffective and new approaches are needed. I propose the hypothesis that thiazolidinediones (TZs) such as piogli-tazone and rosiglitazone, currently used for treatment of type II diabetes, could potentially slow the course of PML and under the best of circumstances, induce a complete remission.