Abstract
The authors report on the results of the immune monitoring of a study population of 31 patients with lung cancer who were treated with radiotherapy. A synthetic thymic pentapeptide, thymopentin, was employed whose effect was evaluated on the immunological parameters analyzed. After radiotherapy, a considerable and homogeneous decrement was observed in several lymphocytic subsets (less sensible in activated T-cells), together with a progressive decrement in the helper/suppressor ratio, in the long run. Monocytes and null cells showed more radioresistance. Thymopentin had no influence on the tested immunological parameters up to 6 months after radiotherapy; later on, a slightly more balanced helper/suppressor ratio could be noticed in the surviving patients who had been treated with thymopentin.
Publication types
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Comparative Study
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English Abstract
MeSH terms
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Adenocarcinoma / immunology
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Adenocarcinoma / radiotherapy*
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Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
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Aged
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B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology
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B-Lymphocytes / radiation effects*
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / immunology
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / radiotherapy*
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Cobalt Radioisotopes / therapeutic use
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Combined Modality Therapy
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Female
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Humans
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Lung Neoplasms / immunology
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Lung Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
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Lymphocytes, Null / immunology
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Lymphocytes, Null / radiation effects*
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Peptide Fragments / therapeutic use
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Pneumonectomy
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Radioisotope Teletherapy
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T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes / radiation effects*
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Thymopentin
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Thymopoietins / therapeutic use
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Time Factors
Substances
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Adjuvants, Immunologic
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Cobalt Radioisotopes
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Peptide Fragments
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Thymopoietins
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Thymopentin