Thymostimulin treatment in AIDS-related complex.
Thirty-four patients with AIDS-related complex (ARC) were treated for 6 months with thymostimulin, a thymic hormone. Clinical and immunological findings after a 1-year follow-up were compared with those in 24 age- and sex-matched controls receiving no immunotherapy. Statistical evaluation after 6 and 12 months showed significant differences in the two groups. The thymostimulin-treated group had higher leukocyte and lymphocyte counts, more positivity in intradermal tests with multiple recall antigens, and less lymphadenopathy and weight loss. The number of OKT3+ and OKT4+ lymphocytes decreased significantly in the control group, but did not change in the thymostimulin-treated patients. Finally, after 18 months of follow-up, no progression to AIDS was seen among the treated subjects, whereas 3 of the controls developed the disease. We conclude that thymostimulin, alone or in combination with antiviral drugs, may be helpful in the management of ARC patients.
Palmisano
L
L
Industria Farmaceutica Serono, Rome, Italy.
Chisesi
T
T
Galli
M
M
Gritti
F M
FM
Ielasi
G
G
Lazzarin
A
A
Mezzaroma
I
I
Moroni
M
M
Raise
E
E
Vaglia
A
A
D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D013949:Thymus Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D013949:Thymus Extracts; C031407:thymostimulin