CHEMOTHERAPY VERSUS CHEMO-IMMUNOTHERAPY WITH LEVAMISOLE OR CORYNEBACTERIUM-PARVUM IN ADVANCED LUNG-CANCER

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 66  (6) , 1291-1297
Abstract
A total of 109 patients with advanced lung cancer, all cell types, were randomized between MACC chemotherapy only, consisting of methotrexate, doxorubicin (adriamycin), cyclophosphamide and lomustine (CCNU[1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea]); MACC plus levamisole (LMS) orally; and MACC plus C. parvum (CP) s.c. Of these patients, 101 were evaluable, with no differences among the 3 treatment groups for overall response rate and survival time. Objective response rates and median survival times were 41% and 230 days for patients given MACC only, 39% and 257 days for those given MACC plus LMS, and 44% and 223 days for those given MACC plus CP, respectively. There was a significant increase in survival for patients with large cell anaplastic carcinoma receiving CP or LMS, particularly in the good-performance-status category. Pretreatment-delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity to recall antigens in 50 patients had prognostic significance; repeat tests after 2 mo. of treatment in 30 patients did not show different patterns of conversion among the 3 groups. There was no difference in hematologic toxicity among the 3 groups. With the possible exception of large cell anaplastic carcinoma, immunotherapy with LMS or CP as given in this trial does not appear to be therapeutically advantageous in advanced lung cancer.