Abstract |
Studies on the effect of thymosin on T-cell levels in vitro among normal persons and cancer patients show that, in general, T-cell levels increase after incubation with thymosin in populations with low initial T-cell levels while the levels decrease in populations with high initial T-cell levels. In patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung receiving intensive chemotherapy also randomized to receive thymosin at a dose of 60 mg/m2, thymosin at a dose of 20 mg/m2, or placebo twice weekly, increased survival occurred in patients receiving the thymosin dose of 60 mg/m2. The increase in survival was greatest in patients with low pretreatment T-cell and alpha2HS-glycoprotein levels. These observations suggest that the cancer patients most likely to benefit therapeutically from adjuvant treatment with thymosin are those with relatively low initial T-cell levels and other parameters of cellular immunity.
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Authors | P B Chretien, S D Lipson, R Makuch, D E Kenady, M H Cohen, J D Minna |
Journal | Cancer treatment reports
(Cancer Treat Rep)
Vol. 62
Issue 11
Pg. 1787-90
(Nov 1978)
ISSN: 0361-5960 [Print] United States |
PMID | 215307
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
- Glycoproteins
- Thymus Hormones
- Thymosin
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Topics |
- Carcinoma, Small Cell
(blood, drug therapy, immunology)
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Glycoproteins
(blood)
- Humans
- Immunity, Cellular
(drug effects)
- In Vitro Techniques
- Leukocyte Count
- Lung Neoplasms
(blood, drug therapy, immunology)
- T-Lymphocytes
(drug effects)
- Thymosin
(pharmacology)
- Thymus Hormones
(pharmacology)
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