Clinical studies with Corynebacterium parvum

In a pilot study twelve patients with malignant disease were treated with Corynebacterium parvum. The clinical results were encouraging. A prospective randomised controlled clinical trial of C. parvum therapy in the treatment of patients with carcinoma of the bronchus began in August 1976. 22 pateints have been admitted to the trial and 11 treated with C. parvum. Clinical progress is reported. Radiological, haematological, biochemical and immunological measurements have been made and these results are presented with emphasis on the immunological data. Marked elevation of C. parvum antibody titre occurs. Lymphocyte reactivity, assessed by responses to phytohaemagglutinin and poke-weed mitogen and by the formation of T and B-cell rosettes, was significantly depressed in all patients compared to healthy volunteers, but in patients receiving C. parvum there is a relative increase in B-lymphocyte activity. Mild platelet depression occurs. No alteration to complement activity has been detected.