Thymosin Alpha 1 Improved Immune Response in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

What the researchers found

Leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI), a measure of how well immune cells respond to signals, was impaired in 24 head and neck cancer patients compared to healthy people.

Adding thymosin alpha 1 to the lab dish improved LMI in the cancer patients' cells. The improvement appeared independent of T-cell subset levels, meaning thymosin alpha 1 was enhancing the function of existing cells rather than changing which cells were present.

An interesting secondary finding: patients whose LMI was still normal had lower levels of suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells than both healthy people and patients with impaired LMI. This suggests that suppressor cells may contribute to the immune dysfunction in these cancers.

Why it matters

Head and neck cancer patients often have weakened immune systems, which may limit their ability to fight the tumor. This study showed thymosin alpha 1 can restore at least one measure of immune function in these patients' cells. It provided rationale for clinical trials of thymosin alpha 1 in cancer.

How the study worked

In vitro study using blood from 24 previously untreated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. Leukocyte migration inhibition was measured in response to phytohemagglutinin (a plant protein that stimulates immune cells). Thymosin alpha 1 was added to the cultures to test whether it could improve the impaired responses. T-lymphocyte subpopulations were also measured.

What this study cannot tell us

This was an in vitro study. Improving cell function in a dish does not guarantee the same effect in a living patient. The study was small (24 patients) and did not test whether thymosin alpha 1 treatment would actually help patients fight their cancers or live longer.

How to read the evidence

Preliminary in-vitro study using patient blood cells — promising but not a clinical trial.

When this study was published

Published in 1985 — early evidence supporting thymosin alpha 1 as cancer immunotherapy.

The bigger picture

Cancer often suppresses the immune system. This study suggests thymosin alpha 1 could be used as adjunctive immunotherapy for cancer patients, particularly those with intermediate immune suppression.

Questions still open

• Would in-vivo thymosin alpha 1 treatment improve cancer outcomes?
• At what disease stage is immune support most beneficial?

Common questions

Read the original research

In vitro immune modulation by thymosin alpha 1 in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Head & neck surgery, 7(5), 350-6

Citation

Wolf, G T; Peterson, K A; Lovett, E J. (1985). In vitro immune modulation by thymosin alpha 1 in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.. Head & neck surgery, 7(5), 350-6.