Some observations on various dose regimens of thymopentin treatment in rheumatoid arthritis.

Eight patients suffering from active rheumatoid arthritis were treated with thymopentin, 50 mg, administered as fractionated intravenous infusion over 10 min 3 times weekly for 3-20 weeks. Seven patients experienced clear-cut amelioration of symptoms and signs after just 2-4 weeks of treatment, and this improvement lasted for 6-8 weeks after thymopentin had been discontinued. Comparable positive results were observed in 2 patients who later continued thymopentin therapy by subcutaneous administration. Several subcutaneous dose regimens were tried; the optimal response appears to be achieved with 100-150 mg three times weekly and 150-200 mg twice a week, respectively. Because the subcutaneous therapeutic approach is more attractive to the patient-and also more practical for the physician-it should be investigated further.