abstract |
The present disclosure provides a method for determining whether a patient's immune system can be modified through stimulation of thymus function. In a preferred embodiment, sex steroids are ablated in the patient, and the resulting production of thymic factors is monitored. In particular, the leve l of these factors in the patient's blood stream is observed. In another embodiment, the level of new T cells is monitored. An early response, such a s within hours or days of the ablation, indicates that the patient's thymus is disposed to regeneration through sex steroid ablation. |