THE EFFECT OF A NEW BIOLOGICAL RESPONSE MODIFIER (PIDOTIMOD) ON SURGERY-ASSOCIATED IMMUNODEFICIENCY

Pidotimod is a new synthetic compound which has been shown to act as a biological response modifier (BRM). In the present study the effect o f the drug in immunodeficiency associated with surgical procedures was evaluated. Twenty patients, who had undergone minor surgery, were div ided in two groups of 10 subjects each and randomly treated with Pidot imod (200 mg i.m. twice a day) or placebo. Several aspects of the immu ne response (lymphocyte tests, PMN functions and humoral responses) we re evaluated at predetermined intervals, before and after surgery. A s ignificant alteration in CD3 and CD4 lymphocyte subpopulations, PMN ph agocytosis and superoxide anion (O2-) production and C3 and C4 complem ent fractions was observed in the control group, while no significant changes of CD8 and CD19 lymphocyte subpopulations and immunoglobulin c ounts were found. Contrasting data were observed as regards seric leve ls of IL-2 and of its soluble receptor (sIL-2R). These changes were mu ch less relevant in patients treated with Pidotimod. Moreover, treatme nt with Pidotimod seemed partially to prevent the surgery-induced alte rations, with different activity as regards the various functions. In particular, the effect of the drug seemed more important on lymphocyte tests and on PMN phagocytosis. Less activity was found on PMN oxidati ve metabolism (O2- production) and humoral tests (C3 and C4).