title: Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (imuthiol) and cancer.
abstract: Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (imuthiol), a nonantigenic, nontoxic and noncarcinogenic compound, evinces distinctive properties in recruitment and activation of T cells, and no direct influences on B cells or macrophages. The biological attributes of imuthiol (destruction of neoplastic cells, bacteria, fungi and parasites; a detoxifying influence against carcinogens or agents toxic for the liver) could strengthen its activity as a biological response modifier. Preliminary clinic testings show that imuthiol restores T cell activities and regulates the ratio among T cell subsets in cancer patients, without untoward side effects.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D004050:Ditiocarb / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005609:Free Radicals; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D013859:Thiocarbamates / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D013859:Thiocarbamates; D004050:Ditiocarb