title: The effects of short-term treatment with levamisole on cytokines in volunteers and cancer-patients.
abstract: In search for clues to the potential immunomodulating mechanism of action of levamisole which might be used as monitoring parameters, we have determined a variety of cytokines in the peripheral blood of volunteers and carcinoma patients before and after a single or a 3-day-treatment with 150 mg/day. In cancer patients no changes could be detected 4 days after a 3-day-treatment course in the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2 or IL-6. In a placebo-controlled volunteer study the same treatment did not affect the levels of beta2-microglobulin, IL-1beta, IL-1alpha, IL-2 or IL-6. However, 24hr after the last treatment the concentration of neopterin was slightly but significantly increased and the concentration of soluble IL-2 receptors decreased. A single treatment failed to produce such an effect. It is suggested that the measurement of neopterin and soluble IL-2 receptors may provide useful information in future trials.
authors.affiliation: JANSSEN RES FDN,B-2340 BEERSE,BELGIUM. VRIE UNIV BRUSSELS,UNIV ZIEKENHUIS BRUSSELS,B-1090 JETTE,BELGIUM.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Debrabander
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authors.lastname: Roels
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authors.lastname: Vogels
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authors.lastname: Demoen
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authors.lastname: Deridder
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authors.lastname: Jagers
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authors.lastname: Baisier
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authors.lastname: Doolaege
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authors.lastname: Decoster
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authors.lastname: Aerts
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authors.lastname: Vandebroek
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authors.lastname: Decree
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authors.lastname: Verhaegen
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authors.lastname: Dewaele
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authors.lastname: Distelmans
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authors.lastname: Vanbelle
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authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Storme