Thymostimulin in malignant pleural effusions.

Twelve patients were admitted to the trial: 1 primary pleural tumour (mesothelioma), 7 metastases of breast carcinoma, 1 lung epidermoid, 1 lung adenocarcinoma, 1 uterine carcinoma, and 1 ovarian carcinoma. Thymostimulin (TS) was injected intrapleurally at the mean dose of 140 mg (2 mg/kg). The mesothelioma was the only resistant case. Complete remission was obtained in 4 patients after 3 weeks and in 4 within 8 weeks of treatment. This preliminary trial has shown that intrapleural treatment of neoplastic pleural effusion with a thymic hormone preparation can induce rapid and efficient palliation without subjecting the patients to distressing or toxic procedures.