title: Levamisole and immunotherapy: some theoretic and practical considerations and their relevance to human disease.
abstract: The major features of levamisole immunotherapy are distilled from experiences gained so far. The biochemical effects of levamisole are discussed in view of its effects on T lymphocytes and phagocytes. Potential indications for levamisole treatment are classified after Jerry et al. as immune deficiencies or as immune dysregulation syndromes (such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer). After a scrutiny of investigations in cancer patients, the conclusion emerges that, in a subsection of patients, mainly those with poor prospects, levamisole improves the prognosis after effective chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery when given in time and in an appropriate dosage.
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D048289:Imidazolidines; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy; D007978:Levamisole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D012008:Recurrence; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D007093:Imidazoles; D048289:Imidazolidines; D007978:Levamisole; C019204:OMPI; D002118:Calcium