title: Bestatin treatment and the peripheral lymphocyte population in cancer patients.
abstract: Bestatin, a substance produced by Streptomyces olivoreticuli, inhibits certain cell-membrane-associated enzymes and has been shown to augment immune responses in experimental animals. We have determined whether bestatin medication changed the peripheral lymphocyte population in 15 advanced cancer patients. After 2 weeks of daily, 30 mg oral bestatin medication, the lymphocyte counts remained essentially unchanged, but the frequency of E-rosette-forming lymphocytes increased. In vitro stimulation of the lymphocytes with PHA or PPD remained essentially unchanged while the natural-killer activity of the lymphocyte population increased in most patients. Bestatin treatment caused no detectable side effects.
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007930:Leucine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013302:Streptomyces / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D007930:Leucine; C012211:ubenimex