Use of indole compounds to stimulate the immune system

1. A method for treating a HIV-infected subject comprising administering to the subject a compound of formula A in an amount effective for restoring or stimulating CD4 T cell function in said subject,

wherein:

each X is independently an oxygen or sulfur atom;

R 1 is —(CH 2 ) n —Ar wherein n is 0, 1 or 2 and Ar is a C 5 -C 7 aromatic group;

R 2 is a C 1 -C 4 alkyl; and

R 3 is —(O) m —(CH 2 ) p —COOR 4 wherein m is 0 or 1; p is 0, 1, or 2; and R 4 is a hydrogen atom or a C 1 -C 3 alkyl;

or a salt, ester, hydrate, racemate, or enantiomer thereof.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

X is an oxygen; and/or

R 1 is —(CH 2 )—Ar wherein Ar is a C 5 -C 7 aromatic group; and/or

R 2 is a C 1 -C 3 alkyl; and/or

R 3 is —O—(CH 2 ) p —COOR 4 wherein p is 0, 1 or 2 and R 4 is a hydrogen atom or a C 1 -C 3 alkyl.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

X is an oxygen; and

R 1 is —(CH 2 )—Ar wherein Ar is a phenyl group; and

R 2 is ethyl; and

R 3 is —O—(CH 2 )—COOR 4 wherein R 4 is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound is 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid, or a salt, ester, hydrate, racemate, or enantiomer thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 , said HIV-infected subject having AIDS.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound is administered to the subject at a dose comprised between 0.01 μg and 100 mg.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound is administered repeatedly to the subject.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound is administered by injection, by nasal, oral, mucosal, rectal administration or by inhalation.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound is formulated in a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human subject.