[Effect of selective intra-arterial infusion of OK-432 against renal cell cancers]

In 8 cases of operable renal cancer, selective intraarterial infusion of the streptococcal preparation, OK-432 was performed and its cytocidal effects on the surgical specimens, which were removed on the 8th day after infusion, were investigated histopathologically with immunological parameters of the peripheral blood. The histopathological study revealed a high grade of sinus histiocytosis of the renal pedicle lymph nodes, but the anti-tumor effect on renal tumors was not so marked in any of the 8 cases. OK-Ia-positive lymphoid cells of peripheral blood were increased significantly and Con-A stimulation index of blastogenesis was lowered without any change in the PHA stimulation index after the OK-432 infusion. No serious complications of the selective intraarterial infusion were experienced except for high fever (less than 38 degrees C). In conclusion, OK-432 selective intraarterial infusion was an effective method for improving regional and systemic immunoactivity, but the cytocidal effect against tumor cells could not be confirmed histopathologically.