[In vitro reactivity of lymphocytes after the addition of immunostimulatory drugs].

The in vitro immunomodulating, effects of two thymic extracts--Thymex L and Thymomodulin--on lymphocytes of lung cancer patients, were studied. The number of total and active T cell and PHA-induced lymphoproliferative response were evaluated before and after the addition of two different concentrations (5 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml) of these agents. The in vitro incubation with Thymex L and Thymomodulin had no effect on the number of total T lymphocytes, but the active T cells and proliferative responses were significantly higher. This increases was observed in the majority of patients with diminished baseline values. These results indicated that several immunological parameters should be used in vitro testing of an immunomodulatory drug. They also indicated the need for in vitro testing selection of candidates for immunotherapy among immunodepressed cancer patients.