Action of levamisole on E-rosette forming cells and serum adenosine deaminase in Hodgkin's disease.

The interaction of levamisole and/or adenosine in vitro on E-rosette forming cells (RFC) of healthy subjects and on low RFC of patients affected with various diseases was investigated. Levamisole did not enhance normal RFC. The drug enhanced low RFC in some patients (responders) but not in others (non-responders). Adenosine inhibited normal and low RFC and this inhibition could be reversed by levamisole. Further, levamisole 150 mg 2 days a week was given to 12 Hodgkin's disease (HD) responders for 2 weeks, then 150 mg 1 day weekly for 2 1/2 months. After one week of treatment RFC increased and the enhancement could be maintained during the whole treatment period. Lastly levamisole in vitro and in vivo diminished serum adenosine deaminase activity in normal subjects and HD patients.