Treatment with type-2 selective and non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors improves T-cell proliferation in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy

Prostaglandin E-2 is synthesized via cyclooxygenases and induces cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP). T cells from HIV-infected patients have elevated cAMP levels contributing to T-cell dysfunction. HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy were treated with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin or rofecoxib for 14 days in two independent, subsequent sub-studies. Significantly increased anti-CD3-induced cell proliferation was observed with both rofecoxib and indomethacin, indicating that cyclooxygenase inhibitors may have the potential to improve T-cell proliferative responses in HIV-infected patients.