title: Behavior of lymphocyte subsets and expression of activation markers in response to immunotherapy with galactoside-specific lectin from mistletoe in breast cancer patients.
abstract: Cellular aspects of the immunomodulating activity of the galactoside-specific lectin from mistletoe (ML-1) were investigated in 10 cancer patients. Regular subcutaneous injections (4 weeks) of the optimal dosis of ML-1 (1 ng per kg body weight, twice a week) yielded notable increases in the apparent numbers of certain lymphocyte subsets [pan T cells; helper T cells; natural killer (NK) cells] which are generally believed to be involved in antitumor immunity. Moreover, ML-1 administration resulted in an increased level of expression of interleukin (IL)2 receptors on lymphatic cells, an indicator of cellular activation. In vitro, the exposure of human lymphocytes to ML-1 resulted in an enhanced expression of receptors for IL-2 (T cells) and HLA-DQ (B cells), which similarly substantiated the capacity of ML-1 to affect immunological parameters within the host defense system. Thorough clinical trials are now required to assess any impact of the application of the lectin on the course of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Universität Köln.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beuth
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Gabius
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Burrichter
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oette
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pulverer
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005697:Galactosides / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D037102:Lectins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005697:Galactosides; D037102:Lectins; D010940:Plant Proteins