EFFECTIVENESS OF IMMUNOMODULATING TREATMENT (THYMOSTIMULIN) IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY-DISEASE

We conducted a prospective randomized study to assess the effect of th ymostimulin in patients with long-standing chronic obstructive pulmona ry disease (COPD) during a 1-year follow-up. A total of 38 patients in the intervention group and 40 in the control group received standard treatment for COPD. Patients in the intervention group were also given thymostimulin intramuscularly (1 mg/kg/day for the 1st week followed by once a week for 6 months). At the end of the study period, patients treated with thymostimulin showed a statistically significant lower n umber of exacerbations and hospital admissions as compared with contro ls. However, there were no changes in the number of patients with seve re or moderate impairment of respiratory function throughout the study period. No significant differences were found by Multitest or in seru m concentrations of immunoglobulins and T-cell subsets before and afte r thymostimulin treatment. We conclude that treatment with thymostimul in is effective in the prevention of COPD exacerbations acting on the cellular immune response involved in bronchopulmonary defense.