[Short-term results of intratumor BCG injection for rectal carcinoma]

Twelve patients with rectal carcinoma were treated by intratumor BCG injection concurrently with drugs which antagonize Ts cells, inactivate suppressor macrophages and depress PGE-2 production. Remarkable results were obtained with mild side effects. Four patients achieved complete response and 8 partial response. There was a significant difference (P less than 0.005) between combined treatment and intratumor BCG injection alone. The local reactions of BCG injection, their relation to therapeutic effects and pathology are discussed. The observation of single, degenerated cancer cell encapsulated by epithelioid cells is an evidence that the cancer cell is directly killed by mononuclear cells.