Effect of thymosin for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in chemotherapy

Background and purpose:The occurrence and development of lung cancer are closely correlated with the immune function of the organism. The patients with malignant tumors have shown a disorder of immune function, especially in terms of loss of cellular immune function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of thymosin on therapeutic effects, toxicity, cellular immune function and quality of life for the chemotherapeutic treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Methods:A total of 42 patients with advanced NSCLC was randomized into study group(chemotherapy combined with thymosin) and control group(chemotherapy alone). The patients were given thymosin at the dose of 200 mg/d, iv, from the third day after chemotherapy with NP regimen up to 7-10 days for study group. Two cycles of chemotherapy with NP regimen were given to each patient. Each cycle consisted of NVB 25 mg/m2×2, DDP 70-80 mg/m2.Results:The level of CD4 and the activity of NK cell in the thymosin group were significantly higher before and after treatment(P0.05). The activity of NK cell in the control group was significantly lower before and after treatment(P0.05). The KPS was improved in 61.9 %(13/21) of the patients of the thymosin group and 28.6 %(6/21) patients of the control group (P0.05). Overall response rate was 52.4 % (11/21) in the thymosin group and 42.9 % (9/21) in control group, There was no significant difference in terms of response rate between the two groups(P0.05). 1-year survival rates for the thymosin group and control group were 52.6 % and 38.8 %, respectively(P0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of toxicities between the two groups(P0.05).Conclusions:The combination of thymosin and chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced NSCLC can enhance cellular immune function and improve the patient,s quality of life.