BCG immunostimulation in primary pulmonary cancer (a clinical, immunological and radiological study)

The authors reported the results of a clinical, radiological and immunological study of 147 primary pulmonary cancer cases who were immunostimulated with BCG vaccine over a period of three years between 01.01.76 and 31.12.78. Compared with the same number and stage of cancerous patients treated with the same cytostatic drugs and/or surgically without BCG immunostimulation, the survival rate of the immunostimulated group was higher than that of the control group. The radiological picture did not change during the study time in 45% of the patients, regression was observed in 34%, and progression in 21% in the Stage I vaccinated group, while in the control Stage I group regression was only noticed in 21%, and progression was observed in 50%. In the Stage II vaccinated group regression was noted in 48%, in the control group in 23%. No favourable changes were noted in Stage III groups, neither in the vaccinated nor in the nonvaccinated cases. The more favourable prognosis of the immunostimulated group was reflected in the results of the skin tests and in the cellular and humoral immunological responses too. The modification of the BCG immunostimulated pulmonary cancer patients gives a statistically significant prolongation of survival time and a beneficial improvement of life quality and expectation.