Studies of natural killer activity and augmentation by OK-432 in patients with gynecological malignancies

The natural killer (NK) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxic (ADCC) activities were determined in peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with gynecologic malignancy. The effects of a preparation of Streptococcus pyogenes (OK-432) and of interferon were determined. Patients with advanced cancer exhibited lower natural cytotoxicity than normal women. NK and ADCC activities were decreased following surgery and NK activity was decreased following chemotherapy. Radiation reduced the percentage of Leu-7-positive cells in the circulation of the patients. OK-432 augmented the NK activity of both healthy women and patients with early malignancy. Interferon was less effective than OK-432 in augmenting NK activity.