Alpha-1-thymosin and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: a preliminary experience
Stefanini, G.F.; Foschi, F.G.; Castelli, E.; Marsigli, L.; Biselli, M.; Mucci, F.; Bernardi, M.; Van Thiel, D.H.; Gasbarrini, G.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 45(19): 209-215
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 9496515 Document Number: 494344
Background/Aims: To evaluate the tolerability and therapeutic potential of the immunostimulating adjuvant alpha-1-thymosin inpatients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Methodology: Twelve patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were treated with alpha-1-thymosin (900 mug/m2 subcutaneously twice per week for 6 months) and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and compared to a historical control group (matched for gender, age, Okuda staging, Child's score, alpha-fetoprotein serum levels and viral infection) treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization alone. Results: No severe side effects were recorded in the 2 treatment groups. The combination of alpha-1-thymosin plus transcatheter arterial chemoembolization resulted in a longer survival that reached statistical significance 7 months after the end of treatment (p < 0.05). Patients receiving combined treatment demonstrated a significant increase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells expressing CD3 (p < 0.05) and CD8 (p < 0.025) 3 months after beginning treatment. They also had a significant increase (p < 0.05) in CD16+ and CD56+ cells after 1 month, and a slight reduction in mononuclear cells expressing CD25, a marker for cell activation. No alterations in the response to phytohemagglutinin stimulation were seen during the alpha-1-thymosin treatment. Conclusions: The absence of toxicity and the favourable effects observed in this open study call for a double blind control study to confirm the efficacy of the combined treatment.