THYMOSIN (TPl) THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE VIRAL INFECTIONS AND T-CELL DEFECT: 5

Recent experimental and clinical researches suggest that thymic humoral factors may be helpful in restoring immune balance in patients with T-cell defect. A calf thymic extract (TPl Serono Institute) induces the maturation of pre-T-cells and increases the capacity of mature T-cells to respond to antigen. Our previous investigations have shown a maturation of pre-T-cells in vitro,a clinical and immunological recostitution in primary T-cell defect after TP1 therapy.Now we have treated 10 children suffering from T-cell defect associated with severe viral infections,with TP1 75 mg/m2/day for a week and at the same dose twice a week for 3 months. Our results showed an increase of E-rosette forming cells after incubation of peripheral blood lymphocytes with TP1 in vitro and after 1 month of treatment in vivo (fig) Furthermore, during the therapy, a complete recovery of viral infections was observed in all subjects.