Ukrain both as an anti cancer and immunoregulatory agent

Thirty six stage III cancer patients were treated with Ukrain, a semisynthetic drug derived from Chelidonium majus L. alkaloids conjugated with thiophosphoric acid. The drug was injected intravenously every second day in a dose of 10 mg per injection. Each patient received 300 mg of the drug (30 injections). The cytostatic effect of Ukrain was monitored clinically and by ultrasonography (USG) and computer tomography (CT), as well as by determination of CEA and CA-125 in the sera of patients with rectal and ovarian cancers, respectively. The influence of Ukrain on immune parameters was evaluated by monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to CD2, CD4, CD8 and CD22. The influence of Ukrain on immune parameters in cancer patients was matched with its effect on these parameters in 20 healthy volunteer controls. The results obtained indicate that Ukrain, in a concentration not cytostatic in normal cells, is cytostatic for malignant ones, and may suppress the growth of cancer. The compound also has immunoregulatory properties, regulating the T lymphocyte subsets.