Possibilities of immunotropic drugs of thymic origin in cancer patients

Introduction. At present, in the light of impressive scientific achievements in tumor immunology, the question of the need for immunotherapeutic support in the treatment of cancer patients is especially relevant. Increasing attention is paid to the quality of life of patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. However, the standards of immunotropic therapy in the complex and combined treatment of an oncological patient have not yet been developed. In the Russian Federation, more than 30 years ago, Timalin, a complex of peptides of thymic origin, was registered and approved for use in cancer patients.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential of Timalin to improve the quality of life of cancer patients during standard therapy.

Materials and methods. The study included 20 cancer patients, mostly with III–IV stages of the disease. All patients underwent a study of immunological status indicators before the start of therapy. The main indicators of cellular and humoral immunity were assessed: T-cells, B-cells, NKT-cells, activation markers, NK-cells, immunoregulatory index. All patients received Timalin. To assess the quality of life of patients, a questionnaire was used: EQ-5D before the start of Timalin immunotherapy, then once a week for one course lasting 1 month.

Results. After 1 month 9 patients responded that their health status increased by 20 points (on a 100‑point scale), 3 patients by 15 points, and 8 patients by 10 points. Against the background of immunotherapeutic support, all patients noted a decrease in the level of side effects in the process of special treatment for the underlying disease.

Conclusion. The article shows that before treatment, the indicators of the immune status and the condition of patients required immunocorrective therapy. Substantiated conclusions were made about the need to consider the inclusion of thymic peptides in the standards of care for cancer patients.