Lithium γ-linolenate (lithium-GLA) is a drug which has been shown in test-tube studies to inactivate HIV particles and to selectively kill HIV-infected cells without affecting normal cells.

Lithium-GLA has previously been shown to improve survival in people with cancer of the pancreas, without causing significant side-effects. In some people, however, it caused inflammation of the blood vessels and minor disruption of red blood cells; these side-effects were easily controlled by thinning the blood and reducing the dose.

Lithium-GLA is manufactured by Scotia Pharmaceuticals under the trade name Efamol. It also sometimes known as EF-13. The company is not proceeding with the development of Lithium GLA as an anti-HIV product.

Key research

Randall reported that lithium-GLA selectively killed H9 cells chronically infected with HIV in vitro. Pre-treatment of H9 cells inhibited CD4 expression and reduced syncytia formation on co-culture with HIV-infected H9 cells. There was a several-fold reduction in viral production by PBMCs in the presence of 20 µg/ml of lithium-GLA.

Schlech reported that in a phase I open label study of intravenously ithium GLA (esclating doses given daily for 14 to 15 days), side-effects included gastrointestinal disturbance (10/12 participants), fatigue (4/12), headache (8/12).

References

Mpanju O et al. Antiretroviral and cytotoxic effects of lithium gamma-linolenate (EF-13) in mononuclear cells acutely infected with HIV. Second National Conference on Human Retroviruses and Related Infections, Washington, abstract 77, 1995.

Randall SL et al. Lithium gamolenate inhibits HIV replication in chronically infected H9 cells and acutely infected PBMC. Second International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection, Glasgow, abstract P60, 1994.

Schlech WF et al. Phase I open label study of the safety and potential efficacy of LiGLA in adavnced HIV infection. Eleventh International Conference on AIDS, Vancouver, abstract Tu.B.2276, 1996.