4.2. Alternative treatments for HIV/AIDS: DNCB Fact Sheet
Description
This article is from the AIDS FAQ, by Dan Greening with numerous contributions by others.
4.2. Alternative treatments for HIV/AIDS: DNCB Fact Sheet
Billi Goldberg
PURPOSE DNCB (1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene or C(6)H(3)ClN(2)O(4)) is a
potent topical contact sensitizer. Studies have shown that, when used
regularly, DNCB will boost the cellular immune response resulting in
increased numbers of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer
(NK) cells .
REFERENCES
Caulfield CR, Goldberg B. 1993. The Anarchist AIDS Medical Formulary.
Berkeley: North Atlantic Books.
Gilden D. DNCB Treatment Today. AIDS Treatment News #182
1993:3-7. Hosein S. Immunomodulators. Treatment Update #43
1993;4(3):4-6. Mills LB. Stimulation of T-cellular immunity by
cutaneous application of dinitrochlorobenzene. J Am Acad Dermatol
1986;14(6):1089-1090. Stricker RB,
Elswood BF, Abrams DI. Dendritic cells and dinitrochlorobenzene
(DNCB): a new treatment approach to AIDS. Immunol Lett
1991;29:191-196.
Stricker RB, Elswood BF. Topical dinitrochlorobenzene in HIV disease.
J Am Acad Dermatol 1993;28(5):796-797.
Stricker RB et al. Pilot study of topical dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)
in human immunodeficiency virus infection. Immunol Lett 1993;36:1-6.
DNCB TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS (Rev. 12/1/93)
by Billi Goldberg
PURPOSE
DNCB is a potent topical contact sensitizer. Studies have shown that,
when used regularly, DNCB will boost the immune response resulting in
increased numbers of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer
(NK) cells. Articles and studies in The Anarchist AIDS Medical
Formulary,(1) AIDS Treatment News,(2) Treatment Update,(3) and
scientific journals(4) provide additional information on DNCB that may
be helpful.
ACTION
The mechanism of immunological action of DNCB is due to Delayed Type
Hypersensitivity (DTH) which involves the initiation of the Th1 or the
cell mediated immune response (CMI). The humoral or antibody system is
not directly involved in DTH. The primary infections in AIDS are of an
intracellular nature which can only be controlled by the cell mediated
immune response; the antibody system is ineffective in controlling
these opportunistic infections.
DRUGS AND IMMUNOSUPPRESSION
Antibiotics, nucleosides analogues and other drug treatments can
interfere with the cell-mediated immune response thus negating the
systemic action initiated by DNCB. Drugs required for the treatment of
infections must be continued until the infections are cleared or
controlled. Individuals with AIDS must use PCP prophylaxis; use of
other prophylaxis drugs is of questionable value (see Hoover DR et
al. 1993. Clinical manifestations of AIDS in the era of pneumocystis
prophylaxis. NEJM 329:1922-1926) especially in DNCB users. It is
extremely important to avoid all forms of ultraviolet radiation such
as sunlight (wear a hat and use sunblockers) and tanning salons. UV
light not only suppresses cellular immunity but can increase HIV
replication.
VITAMINS, MINERALS, AND IMMUNITY
Individuals with compromised immune systems fighting chronic
infections require supplements of basic vitamins and
minerals. Suggested supplements are Multi-mineral tab, Multi-vitamin
tab, Beta Carotene (25,000 I.U.), B-Complex, Vitamin C (1000 mg),
Vitamin E (400 I.U.), Odorless Garlic (270 mg), and Zinc (30
mg). These supplements should be taken only once a day; overuse of
supplements can be detrimental. Zinc can be toxic when over 100 mg per
day is used. There are studies that show that the optimal amount of
Vitamin C is one to three grams per day with amounts over that causing
interference with the immune response.(1) N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC)
and other anti-oxidants such as curcumin, interfere with lymphocyte
proliferation and immunological functions (i.e., IL-2 and IL-2R,
cellular adhesion molecules, lymphotoxin, and production of colony
stimulating factors) in infected and uninfected cells by inhibiting
Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-kB).(2)
Most herbs are polysaccharides that initiate a systemic antibody
response or Th2. Studies have shown that activation of this Th2
response will shutdown the cell-mediated immune response (Th1)
required to control the infections involved in AIDS. Herbs, therefore,
should not be used indiscriminately or on a regular basis unless it
can be shown that they initiate cellular immunity or delayed-type
hypersensitivity. If the immunological action of any herb is not
known, it should not be used.
INFORMATION AND AVAILABILITY
DNCB information and kits can be obtained from DNCB Now!, 2261 Market
Street, #499, San Francisco, CA 94114 or call (415) 954-8896. Starter
kits are available for a suggested donation of $25.00 which includes
postage and treatment instructions. Single vials of DNCB require a
$6.00 suggested donation which includes postage. For an additional
donation of $5.00, an information packet of literature on DNCB and
cell-mediated immunity will be sent.
DNCB kits, individual vials, and information packets will be supplied
free of charge to those unable to afford them.
INITIAL APPLICATION (if previous DNCB user, start with 0.2% solution)
1. Using a Q-tip, apply the 10% SOLUTION to the inner LEFT forearm in
a 2" x 2"-square. (Do not use with thymic peptides or cytokines.)
2. After a few minutes, apply the Q-tip with the 10% SOLUTION a second
time on the same 2" x 2"-square location.
3. Let dry for a few minutes and cover with a large adhesive bandage,
making certain that the adhesive does not touch the application
site. Do not remove bandage or wash the application site for at least
ten hours.
4. Do not, under any conditions, apply DNCB again until two weeks has
elapsed even if there is no reaction at the application site.
AFTER TWO WEEKS
1. Using a Q-tip, apply the 2% SOLUTION to the inner RIGHT forearm in
a 2" x 2"-square.
2. After a few minutes, apply the Q-tip with the 2% SOLUTION a second
time on the same 2" x 2"-square location.
3. Let dry for a few minutes and cover with a large adhesive bandage,
making certain that the adhesive does not touch the application
site. Do not remove bandage or wash the application site for at least
ten hours.
4. In less than seventy-two hours, the skin at the application site
should be bright red, itchy, and slightly raised. If this happens,
start weekly applications as per the next section.
5. If there is no reaction, continue with weekly applications of the
10% SOLUTION (alternating arms each week) until there is an
appropriate response at the application site, then start weekly
applications.
AFTER ONE WEEK AND EACH WEEK THEREAFTER
1. Repeat numbers 1 to 4 above using the 2% SOLUTION, using a
different application site for each weekly application. Stinging at
the site within one hour after application is a sign of an appropriate
dose that will result in a good reaction, but this does not occur in
all individuals.
2. It is advisable to move the application site each month between the
inner arms, inner thighs, and trunk (stomach, rib cage, and chest). It
is especially important to apply DNCB on the upper and lower trunk
areas more often that other sites, since the lungs and
gastrointestinal tract are primary sources of opportunistic
infections. When applying to the trunk area, use a 3" x 3"-
square. Every six weeks or more often if there are infections, it is
advisable to use extra DNCB by applying the Q-tip one additional time
to the trunk area application site. To initate an increased immune
response, DNCB can be applied to more than one site during the weekly
application (such as two trunk sites, arm and trunk, thigh and trunk,
neck and trunk, etc.). It can also be applied at or near swollen lymph
nodes.
3. If the application site is not bright red and slightly raised in
twenty-four to seventy-two hours, the solution is too weak. For the
next application, either increase the solution strength or apply one
extra application with the Q-tip.
4. If the skin at the application site has raised blisters or open
sores, decrease the strength of the application by either applying
only once with the Q-tip, or using a weaker solution, such as 0.2% or
0.02%.
5. If the present application site becomes bright red in twenty-four
to seventy-two hours or any previous application site changes color,
you are considered sensitized and need only to continue applications
on a weekly basis.
6. Do not use DNCB more than once a week, no matter what conditions or
circumstances occur.
If severe contact dermatitis or itching occurs, apply calamine lotion,
aloe vera, cocoa butter, or Bactine directly to the rash. The use of
cortisone or hydrocortisone creams is not recommended, as they have
systemic immunosuppressing effects. An overly strong reaction
resulting in dermatitis is a sign of an excellent immune response and
is positive not negative. The dermatitis will heal in time and will
not leave a scar.
DNCB can be applied to Kaposi's sarcoma lesions at the same time as
the weekly application.
DNCB must be used weekly to be effective and to initiate appropriate
systemic immune responses.
REFERENCES
(1) Caulfield CR, Goldberg B. 1993. The Anarchist AIDS Medical
Formulary. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.
(2) Gilden D. 1993. DNCB Treatment Today. AIDS Treatment News 182:3-7.
(3) Hosein S. 1993. Immunomodulators. Treatment Update 43 :4(3):4-6.
(4) Mills LB. 1986. Stimulation of T-cellular immunity by cutaneous
application of dinitrochlorobenzene. J Amer Acad Dermatol
14:1089-1090; Stricker RB, Elswood BF, Abrams DI. 1991. Dendritic
cells and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB): a new treatment approach to
AIDS. Immunol Lett 29:191-196; Stricker RB, Zhu YS, Elswood BF. et
al. 1993. Pilot study of topical dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in human
immunodeficiency virus infection. Immunol Lett 36:1-6; and Stricker
RB, Elswood BF. 1993. Topical dinitrochlorobenzene in HIV disease. J
Am Acad Dermatol 28:796-797.
(5) Hoover DR, Saah AF, Bacellar H., et al. 1993. Clinical
manifestations of AIDS in the era of pneumocytstis prophylaxis. NEJM
329:1922-1926; and Osmond D, Charlebois E, Lang W. et
al. 1994. Changes in AIDS survival time in two San Francisco cohorts
of homosexual men, 1983 to 1993. JAMA 271:1083-1087.
(6) Munster AM, Loadholdt CB, Leary AG, Barnes MA. 1977. The effect of
antibiotics on cell-mediated immunity. Surgery 81:692-695; Anderson R,
Oosthuizen R, Maritz R, et al. 1980. The effects of increasing weekly
doses of ascorbate on certain cellular and humoral immune functions in
normal volunteers. Am J Clin Nutr 33:71-76; and Ramirez I, Richie E,
Wang YM, van Eys J. 1980. Effect of ascorbic acid in vitro on
lymphocyte reactivity to mitogens. J Nutr 110:2207-2215.
(7) Aillet F, Gougerot-Pocidalo MA, Virelizier JL, Israel N. 1994.
Appraisal of potential therapeutic index of antioxidants on the basis
of their in vitro effects of HIV replication in monocytes and
interleukin 2-induced lymphocyte proliferation. AIDS Res Hum Retro
10(4):405-411; Staal FJT, Roederer M, Raju PA, et
al. 1993. Antioxidants inhibit stimulation of HIV transcription. AIDS
Res Hum Retro 9;299-306; Nabel GJ. 1993. The role of cellular
transcription factors in the regulation of human immunodeficiency
virus gene expression. In: Cullen BR, ed. 1993. Human Retroviruses,
New York: IRL Press, 61; Go C, Miller J. 1992. Differential induction
of transcription factors that regulate the interleukin 2 gene during
anergy induction and restimulation. J Exp Med 175:1327-1336; and
Baeuerle PA, Henkel T. 1994. Function and activiation of NF-kB in the
immune system. Ann Rev Immunol 12:141-179.
Continue to:
My Books
