Kelleher 1998.

Methods	This was a single centred pilot study which was planned as a pilot study of a multi‐centred RCT to be conducted.
Participants	18 participants consecutively enrolled into 3 groups Inclusion criteria Adults who had asymptomatic HIV infections. CD4 counts between 200 to 500 cells/mm³. Receiving nucleoside analogue ART regimen. Exclusion criteria: not specified
Interventions	Treatment group A (IL‐2 plus ART only) IL‐2 at doses of 12.6 X 106 U/day as continuous intravenous infusions for 5 days every 8 weeks for 6 cycles Treatment group B (IL‐2 linked to polyethylene glycol plus ART) Escalating doses of subcutaneous injections of IL‐ 2 on day 1 and 3 of each 8‐week cycle. Control group ART alone. Each group had 150 mg of lamivudine twice daily added to their regimen at 30 weeks.
Outcomes	CD4 cell counts. Viral loads. Responses to recall antigens.
Notes	This was a multicentred trial conducted in Australia. Duration of follow‐up: 48 weeks
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Unclear risk	The trial authors did not describe the method of random sequence generation.
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Unclear risk	The trial authors did not describe the method of allocation concealment.
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	Low risk	The trial was not blinded. However, the outcomes measures are objective and unlikely to have been influenced by lack of blinding.
Blinding of outcome assessment (detection bias) All outcomes	Low risk	The trial was not blinded. However, the outcomes measures are objective and unlikely to have been influenced by lack of blinding.
Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias) All outcomes	Low risk	The trial excluded less than 15% of the participants.
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Low risk	There was no evidence of selective reporting.
Other bias	Low risk	We did not identify any other potential sources of bias.