Reduction of suppressor cells in cancer patients treated with OK-432 immunotherapy

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Abstract
Ok-432, a streptococcal preparation, was intradermally injected daily into patients with advanced cancer of the stomach or lung for 4 weeks and the effects of OK-432 on the mitogenic responses of cancer patients were followed. The cells involved in the depression of the response of untreated cancer patients were characterized. The cells responsible for impaired responses were nylon wool non-adherent and suppressed the mitogen responses of autologous and allogeneic lymphocytes. These cells lost their suppressive activity during 7 days' culture in vitro. Following OK-432 immunotherapy, mononuclear cells from cancer patients showed increased responses to PHA and Con A, and nylon wool non-adherent cells did not inhibit the mitogen responses. These results suggest that the cells suppressing non-specific mitogen responses are sensitive to in vitro culture, belong to nylon wool non-adherent cells and are lost during 4 weeks of OK-432 therapy.