title: Combination of levamisole immunotherapy and polychemotherapy in advanced breast cancer.
abstract: In a randomized double-blind study, 101 female patients with breast cancer treated with Adriamycin chemotherapy in combination with vincristine and cyclophosphamide received either levamisole immunotherapy or placebo. The investigation was preceded by a pilot study involving 44 patients, of whom 25 received levamisole; the intermittent four-drug schedule of cyclophosphamide, vinblastine, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil, however, formed the basis of chemotherapy. In both studies, levamisole increased the response rates (P = 0.03), and in the present controlled trial it also significantly lengthened survival (P = 0.05). The results correlated with initial and levamisole-induced improvement of cell-mediated immunity.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007121:Immunocompetence; D007978:Levamisole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013997:Time Factors; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007978:Levamisole; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide