Nonspecific adjuvant immunotherapy of lung cancer with cell wall skeleton of Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin

Cancer Res. 1979 Aug;39(8):3262-7.

Abstract

Nonspecific adjuvant immunotherapy with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin 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-year results. Significant prolongation of survival time has been observed in Clinical Stages II, III (M0) and III (M1). However, most Stage III patients who were given the BCG-CWS treatment died of cancer itself after marked prolongation of survival time. An increase in complete cure rate has been 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 has been experienced in our study.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Aged
  • BCG Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • BCG Vaccine / adverse effects
  • BCG Vaccine / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Small Cell / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / therapy
  • Female
  • Fever / etiology
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / mortality
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pleurisy / complications
  • Pleurisy / therapy
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • BCG Vaccine