Treatment of malignant ascitic and pleural effusion with Corynebacterium parvum.
Six patients with malignant effusions, five from adenocarcinomas and one from a melanoma, were treated by intrapleural or intraperitoneal Corynebacterium parvum. In each case there was a definite reduction in the effusions with a significant decrease in the number of malignant cells; in most cases the effusions stopped completely. Although none of the patients lived for more than a year after treatment, they were undoubtedly more comfortable, as they no longer required frequent paracentesis. In some cases the patients lived for longer than originally expected in a state in which the quality of life was acceptable.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000628:therapy*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000628:therapy*; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes / Q000276:immunology*
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines