[PMN leukocytes chemotaxis: inhibition by thalidomide (author's transl)].

The effects of thalidomide on chemotaxis of normal human peripheral blood PMN leukocytes have been studied in vitro. Chemotaxis factor was generated by interacting normal human serum with zymosan. At concentration of 1, 10 and 100 micrograms/ml, thalidomide failed to inhibit chemotactic factor. Pre-incubation of PMNs with thalidomide caused a marked, dose-independent inhibition of chemotaxis. Random mobility did not appear to be affected. Inhibition of PMN chemotactic ability by thalidomide may account for its ability to improve skin diseases such as aphtosis, discoid lupus erythematosus and other sun-sensitive and/or inflammatory dermatoses.