[Changes in surface markers on peripheral blood lymphocytes, caused by thymic extract in breast cancer patients]

A quantification of peripheral blood CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8 i CDDR positive cells was performed to evaluate effectiveness of a bovine thymic extract, TFX-thymomodulin in expresing those surface markers, modulated by postoperative radiotherapy in breast cancer patients. Twenty patients with histologically proven breast cancer, assigned to clinical stage II using the criteria of TNM (Tumour Node Metastasis) classification were divided into two compatative groups: the first one was treated with radiotherapy only, whereas the second one was additionally treated with TFX-thymomodulin. The quantification of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8 and CDDR positive peripheral blood cells was performed before and after treatment in both comparative groups, using the indirect immunofluorescent technique. We found significantly lower reduction in CD4 and CDDR positive cells in the breast cancer patient group, treated with radioimmunotherapy, compared to the group, treated with radiotherapy only. TFX-thumomodulin could be effective in reducing the changes of examined surface markers, caused by radiotherapy in breast cancer patients.