thymalfasin and Pneumonia--Pneumocystis

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Antibodies, Viral; B-Lymphocytes; beta 2-Microglobulin; Biopterins; Candidiasis, Oral; Drug Combinations; Humans; Interferon Type I; Lymphocyte Activation; Neopterin; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Retroviridae; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Sulfamethoxazole; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Thymalfasin; Thymosin; Trimethoprim; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

The adnormal levels of thymosin alpha 1 in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, depressed T-cell function, thymus pathology, and the restoration of T-cell function by thymosin fraction 5 (TF5) lend support to the hypothesis that the thymus plays a central role in AIDS. The thymosin alpha 1 assay may provide a means of identifying symptomatic carriers of AIDS. This paper summarizes the current status of diagnostic studies with thymosin alpha 1 in AIDS and reports the 1st clinical trial with thymosin in subjects with AIDS-like immune dysfunction. Serum samples from intravenous drug abusers, homosexuals, and Haitians with AIDS have revealed thymosin alpha 1 levels at least 2 standard deviations from the mean of controls without AIDS. Preliminary data from a pilot study in homosexuals and hemophiliacs at high risk for AIDS suggest that the administration of TF5 may be effective in reconstituting some T-cell mediated specific immune functions, including cell-medicated lympholysis (CML) and the mixed lymphocyte response (MLR), and enhancing the lectin-induced production of T-cell growth factor. On the other hand, TF5 has failed to have any effects on the T4/T8 ratio, absolute lymphocyte counts, or natural killer cell activity.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adult; Aged; Clinical Trials as Topic; Female; Hemophilia A; Homosexuality; Humans; Interleukin-2; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis; Risk; Sarcoma, Kaposi; Thymalfasin; Thymosin