Abstract
Previous studies supported the hypothesis that some immunological abnormalities might be involved in the pathogenesis of ALS. On this basis some therapeutic trials have been attempted with various immunomodulating agents such as isoprinosine[1,2] levamisole[3], transfer factor[4] and interferon[5]. Other therapeutic trials, which have been based on the assumption that ALS may be considered an autoimmune disease, have used immunosuppressor drugs such as azathiopurine, methotrexate and cytotosine-arabinoside[6]. No significant results were described in any of these studies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
G. Fareed and H. R. Tyler, The use of isoprinosine in ALS, Neurology, 21: 937–940 (1971).
J. A. Brody, K. M. Chen, Y. Yase, E. M. Holden, and C. E. Morris, Inosiplex and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Arch.Neurol., 30: 322–323 (1974).
M. R. Olarte, Therapeutic trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in: “Human Motor Neuron Diseases,” L. P. Rowland, ed., Raven Press, New York, pp. 555–567 (1982).
M. R. Olarte, J. C. Gersten, J. Zabriskie, and L. Rowland, Transfer factor is ineffective in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Ann.Neurol., 5: 385–388 (1978).
A. Rissanen, J. Palo, C. Myllyla, and K. Cantell, Interferon therapy for ALS, Ann.Neurol., 7: 392 (1980).
F. H. Norris, The riddle of positive immune system findings in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in: “Clinical Neuroimmunology,” Clifford Rose, ed., Blackwell Scientific Publications, pp. 245–258 (1979).
P. O. Behan, H. M. Dick, and W. F. Durward, Histocompatibility antigens associated with motor neuron diseases, J.Neurol.Sci., 32: 213–217 (1979).
P. H. Hoffman, D. S. Robbins, M. T. Nolte, C. J. Gibbs, and D. C. Gajdusek, Cellular immunity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinsonism-dementia, N.Eng.J.Med., 299: 680–685 (1978).
J. P. Antel, Immunology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in: “Human Motor Neuron Diseases,” L. P. Rowland, eds., Raven Press, New York, pp. 395–402 (1982).
P. C. Doherty, Cell-mediated immunity and the CNS: a key role for gamma interferon, T.I.N.S., 11: 41–42 (1985).
T. L. K. Low, G. B. Thurman, C. Chincarini, J. E. McClure, G. D. Marshall, S. Hu, and A. L. Goldstein, Current status of thymosin research: evidence for the existence of a family of thymic factors that control T-cell maturation, Ann.N.Y.Acad.Sci., 332: 33–48 (1979).
A. Goldstein, G. B. Thurman, G. Cohen, and J. Hooper, Thymosin: Chemistry, biology and clinical applications, in: “Biological Activity of Thymic Hormone,” D. Von Bekkum, ed., Kooyer Sci.Pubi., Rotterdam (1974).
D. W. Wara, A. L. Goldstein, N. E. Doyle, and A. J. Ammann, Thymosin activity in patients with cellular immunodeficiency, N.Engl.J.Med., 292: 70–75 (1975).
P. A. Tovo and P. Nicola, TP1 Therapy in patients with secondary immunodeficiencies, in: “Thymus, Thymic Hormones and T Lymphocytes,” Aiuti and Wigzell, eds., Academic Press, London (1980).
L. Businco, Therapy with Tpl of viral diseases in immunodeficient patients, in: “Thymus, Thymic Hormones and T Lymphocytes,” Aiuti and Wigzell, eds., Academic Press, London (1980).
P. Nicola, Effetti della terapia con TP1 in due pazienti conencefalite morbillosa, Immunol.Pediatr., IX: 40 (1980).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1987 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Provinciali, L., Giovagnoli, A.R., Di Bella, P., Baroni, M., Dellantonio, R. (1987). A Therapeutic Trial of a Thymic Factor in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). In: Cosi, V., Kato, A.C., Parlette, W., Pinelli, P., Poloni, M. (eds) Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 209. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5302-7_42
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-5302-7_42
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-5304-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-5302-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive