[Effects of ubenimex ( bestatin) on the immunity of patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma treated with chemotherapy].
BACKGROUND
To evaluated the effects of ubenimex on immunity of patients with squamous cell lung cancer.


METHODS
Fifty-six patients with inoperable squamous cell lung carcinoma were randomly divided into the experimental group ( EG, received chemotherapy combined with ubenimex 30mg p. o. daily for 6 months) or the control group ( CG, received chemotherapy alone) at 3:2 ratio. Lymph ocyte counting ( LC) , OKT₄ /T₈ ratio, activity of NK cell, IL-2 value and the level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor were determined. The regimen was CAP: cyclophosphamide and adriamycin and cisplatin.


RESULTS
Fifty-two patients were evaluable to be analysed and 32 in the EG and 20 in the CG respectively. The overall response rate at 6 months after treatment was 56% ( 18/ 32) in the EG and 45% ( 9/ 20) in the CG, which was no significant difference between the two groups. Three months and 6 months after treatment, OKT₄ /T₈ ratio, activity of NK cell and IL-2 value of the patients in the EG were significantly increased with the values of 1. 50±0. 29 and 1. 63±0. 39, 35. 1%±7. 3% and 35. 8%±5. 0%, 12±2 IU/ ml and 13±3 IU/ ml respectively compared with those before treatment with the values of 1. 34±0. 32, 33. 6%±5. 5%, 11±2 IU/ ml respectively ( P < 0. 05) and the SIL-2R level was significantly decreased with the values of 596±140 IU/ ml and 581±138 IU/ ml respectively compared with those before treatment 660±173 IU/ ml ( P < 0. 05) . Whereas in the CG there were no significant changes observed except for the SIL-2R level with the value of 532±78 IU/ ml at 6 months after treatment vs 645±189 IU/ ml before treatment. The IL-2 level of the patients in the EG significantly increased compared with those in the CG ( P < 0. 05) at 6 months after treatment ( 13±3 IU/ ml vs 11±3 IU/ ml) .


CONCLUSIONS
Ubenimex may increase the OKT₄ / T₈ ratio, the NK cell activity and the IL-2 value and decrease the SIL-2R level of patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma. Further studies on larger cases and long period of follow-up will be needed before definite conclusion can be drawn.
Cancer Center , West China Hospital , Sichuan University ( Former The First University of West China University of Medical Sciences ) , Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P . R. China.
P
P
Li
Y
Y
Xu
L
L
Ren
Y
Y
Yang
H
H
Zhang
D
D
Luo
D
D
Hao
Y
Y
Hong
L
L
Chen
M
M
Xie