NONSPECIFIC ADJUVANT IMMUNOTHERAPY OF LUNG-CANCER WITH CELL-WALL SKELETON OF MYCOBACTERIUM-BOVIS-BACILLUS-CALMETTE-GUERIN

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 39  (8) , 3262-3267
Abstract
Nonspecific adjuvant immunotherapy with BCG cell wall skeleton (BCG-CWS) was given to 155 lung cancer patients. Clinical effects of the BCG-CWS treatment were estimated by comparing the survival of the BCG-CWS group with that of a historical control group on the basis of 4-yr results. Significant prolongation of surival time was observed in clinical stages II, III (MO) and III (M1). Most stage III patients who were given the BCG-CWS treatment died of cancer after marked prolongation of survival time. An increase in complete cure rate was expected only in Stages I and II. Surgicopathological staging was used in resected cases. Resected cases at any stage were sensitive to treatment with BCG-CWS. Histologically, all types of lung cancer including squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and anaplastic carcinoma were sensitive to treatment with BCG-CWS. Intrapleural administration of BCG-CWS to patients with malignant pleurisy was effective in controlling the pleural effusion and prolonging the survival time. No serious complication was experienced in this study.