The in vitro effect of a calf thymus extract (thymostimulin) on the immunologic parameters of patients with untreated Hodgkin's disease

Cancer. 1982 Jan 15;49(2):245-50. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19820115)49:2<245::aid-cncr2820490209>3.0.co;2-7.

Abstract

The in vitro effect of a calf thymus extract, thymostimulin (TP--1), on the E-rosette-forming capacity and on the PHA blastogenic response of peripheral blood lymphocytes was evaluated in 20 patients with untreated Hodgkin's disease. The mean percentage of lymphocytes forming E rosettes increased in patients from 44.2% to 57.5% (P less than 0.005). The mean PHA stimulation index rose with all three concentrations tested, but returned to the normal range only with the highest PHA concentration (60 mu/ml). An increase in the immune parameters was greatest in those patients who presented with decreased E-rosetting cells of total lymphocyte counts or whose disease was Stage III or IV or of mixed cellular histology.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Hodgkin Disease / immunology*
  • Hodgkin Disease / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lymphocyte Activation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Probability
  • Rosette Formation
  • Thymus Extracts / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Thymus Extracts
  • thymostimulin