[Effect of thymosin alpha 1 on cellular immune function in elderly patients with malignant tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of thymosin alpha 1 on cellular immune function in the elderly patients with malignant tumor. METHODS: Thirty patients with malignant tumor were injected with thymosin alpha 1 subcutaneously at the dose of 1.6 mg q.d. for the first month and q.o.d. for the following month. The number of T cell subgroups and the activity of NK cell in peripheral blood were detected and the quality of life of the patients were evaluated before treatment and at the end of treatment. RESULT: Treatment of thymosin alpha 1 increased the number of CD4 cells and improved the NK activity, and also improved the quality of life of the elderly patients with malignant tumor. There were no side effects found. CONCLUSION: Thymosin alpha 1 can enhance the cellular immune function of the elderly patients with malignant tumor.