Levamisole and immunotherapy: some theoretic and practical considerations and their relevance to human disease.

The major features of levamisole immunotherapy are distilled from experiences gained so far. The biochemical effects of levamisole are discussed in view of its effects on T lymphocytes and phagocytes. Potential indications for levamisole treatment are classified after Jerry et al. as immune deficiencies or as immune dysregulation syndromes (such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer). After a scrutiny of investigations in cancer patients, the conclusion emerges that, in a subsection of patients, mainly those with poor prospects, levamisole improves the prognosis after effective chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery when given in time and in an appropriate dosage.