Immunological effects of isoprinosine as a pulse immunotherapy in melanoma and ARC patients.

Immunomodulatory effect of Isoprinosine are presented in melanoma and HTLV-III/LAV infected patients. Isoprinosine (50 mg/kg) was used as a pulse immunotherapy according to two different schedules: A) 5 days every 15 days and B) 5 days every 15 days for 2 months, then 5 days every 2 months. The patients' immunological profiles were tested before and during the treatment in terms of T-cell subsets, cell number requirement for PHA-induced proliferation, and delayed hypersensitivity reaction to recall antigens. Primary malignant melanoma patients are randomized between surgery alone or associated to isotherapy (schedule A or B). Schedule A, after an initial improvement of surgery-induced immune deficiency, is responsible for an immunodepression, whereas schedule B determines a prolonged restoration in immune responses in melanoma and AIDS related complex or Kaposi sarcoma patients as well. In vitro effects of Isoprinosine on HTLV-III/LAV infection are presented. These data exhibit 1) the need of an immunological follow-up during isotherapy and 2) the immunological benefit of a pulse immunotherapy during acquired immunodeficiencies related to cancer surgery or to HTLV-III/LAV infection in man.