Soluble Il-2 receptor serum levels--a marker for disease progression in patients with HIV-1 infection.

Serum levels of soluble Il-2 receptors (sIl-2R) were measured in 88 patients with HIV infection, 28 patients from high-risk groups, and 28 normal donors. Elevated sIl-2R levels were found in 46% of asymptomatic seropositive patients, in 68% of patients with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, and in 81% of patients with AIDS. Mean sIl-2R values increased with the progression of the disease and were most pronounced in patients with AIDS. A close correlation was found between sIl-2R levels and beta2-microglobulin (p less than 0.0001) and other prognostic parameters known to parallel clinical activity. In addition to being a valuable parameter in monitoring the course of the HIV infection, elevated sIl-2R levels may also be involved in the down-regulation of Il-2-dependent immune functions in AIDS.