AEGiS-CATIE: IMMUNOMODULATORS: The Thymus Gland

IMMUNOMODULATORS: The Thymus Gland

TreatmentUpdate61; Volume 7, No. 7 - July 1995
Sean Hosein

* BACKGROUND

The thymus gland is in the chest. Inside are many T cells and macrophages. In addition to helping T cells mature, the thymus also makes hormones called thymic hormones. Although researchers have named several thymic hormones--thymosin, thymosin fraction 5, thymopoietin, thymopentin, thymulin and thymic humoral factor--they do not know many things about them. Thymic hormones can enhance the functioning of T cells. Some researchers have used thymic hormones to boost the immune systems of patients with cancer and others with AIDS. Reports on some of these products appear in TreatmentUpdate 17, 39 and 52. In this report we present some information on the use of thymostimulin in subjects with HIV/AIDS.

950701
CATE6101

ÆGIS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1995.

Copyright © 1995 - TreatmentUpdate. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Editor, The Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange, 555 Richmond St. West, Suite 505, Box 1104, Toronto, ON, M5V 3B1 • Phone: 416-203-7122 • Toll Free: 1-800-263-1638 • Fax: 416-203-8284 http://www.catie.ca

This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
©1995. AEGIS.