Immunochemotherapy in human lung cancer using the streptococcal agent OK-432.
Streptococcal agent OK-432 was administered at maintenance levels with conventional inductive chemotherapeutic agents to stage III and IV lung cancer patients. Survival rates were longer in patients treated with OK-432 than in patients treated without OK-432. An enhancement of lymphocyte blastogenic activity and a delayed PPD skin reaction were found in patients treated by OK-432. A low grade fever was present as a side effect of this agent in some patients. The results suggest that OTK-432 may be useful immunotherapeutic agent in combination with induction chemotherapy in reducing host damage in advanced stages of lung cancer.
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D037102:Lectins; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000276:immunology*; D014374:Tuberculin Test
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D037102:Lectins