Effect of gold on tumor-associated antigens

A gold compound, which is an anti-rheumatoid agent, was clinically applied to patients showing a high level of tumor-associated antigens. Two patients showed no clear evidence of recurrence except for a high level of tumor-associated antigens. The gold compound was injected i.m. every week at the dose of 25 mg/body for 10 times to a patient showing a high CEA level that had arisen eight years after cervical dissection for a tongue carcinoma. It was also administered every other week for 30 times at the dose of 25 mg/body to a patient showing high CA19-9 and SLX levels five years after palliative left pulmonary resection followed by radiation therapy for left pulmonary carcinoma. The CEA level dropped to the normal limit after 10 injection and remained at that level after cessation of the gold treatment. SLX and CA19-9 levels of the second patient showed lower than initial values, although SLX did not fall to the normal range after the 30 injections. No side effects such as lowering of white blood cell count, BUN elevation, or kidney dysfunction were seen.