title: BCG in cancer and leukemia treatment and prophylaxis-A review.
abstract: Five international oncology meetings crystallized the concept that the immune system plays a dominant role in the prevention and inhibition of neoplasia; that the cancer antigens are relatively weak, therefore eliminating weak or uneffective cellular immunity which is paramount in tumor rejection; that humoral antibodies against neoplastic antigens may block the cytotoxic action of T cells against the tumor cells. A number of agents have been found capable of stimulating the immune system (T-cell activation) but from a clinical standpoint BCG had had the widest application in a variety of tumors and leukemia. Thus the emphasis in this review will be on BCG.
mesh_terms: D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001500:BCG Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007938:Leukemia / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D001500:BCG Vaccine