title: The effect of intravenous infusion of Corynebacterium parvum on an immune profile of women with breast cancer.
abstract: An immunological profile has been measured in 21 patients with advanced breast cancer who were treated with C. parvum (Wellcome strain CN6134). Thirteen patients received a single i.v. dose of 15 mg of C. parvum and 8 received 4 mg i.v. on 5 successive days. The "profile" was recorded before and 7-10 days after treatment and included measurement of total white count, absolute lymphocyte and monocyte counts, PHA response, B and T cell percentages. DNCB and Mantoux skin tests, immunoglobulin classes G, A, M and E and spleen size. Most patients showed a rise in white count, due largely to a polymorph leucocytosis, but there was no consistent change in any of the immunological variables recorded. IgG levels increased significantly following the single injection but not after the 5-day course; suggesting the possibility of acquired immunological tolerance. These results fail to demonstrate a consistent effect of C. parvum on either T-lymphocyte dependent function or on the spleen size, properties well documented in the experimental animal.
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007136:Immunoglobulins