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Reduction of suppressor cells in cancer patients treated with OK-432 immunotherapy
Abstract:
OK-432, a streptococcal preparation, was intradermally injected daily into patients with advanced cancer of the stomach or lung for 4 weeks and the effects of OK-432 on the mitogenic responses of cancer patients were followed. The cells involved in the depression of the response of untreated cancer patients were characterized. The cells responsible for impaired responses were nylon wool non-adherent and suppressed the mitogen responses of autologous and allogeneic lymphocytes. These cells lost their suppressive activity during 7 days' culture in vitro. Following OK-432 immunotherapy, mononuclear cells from cancer patients showed increased responses to PHA and Con A, and nylon wool non-adherent cells did not inhibit the mitogen responses. These results suggest that the cells suppressing non-specific mitogen responses are sensitive to in vitro culture, belong to nylon wool non-adherent cells and are lost during 4 weeks of OK-432 therapy.
Insights
OK-432 immunotherapy improved cancer patient immune responses by reducing suppressive cells. These cells, which impair lymphocyte function, were found to be sensitive to in vitro culture and diminished during OK-432 treatment.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Advanced stomach and lung cancer patients often exhibit impaired immune responses.
- Specific cell populations contribute to the suppression of mitogenic responses in cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of OK-432 immunotherapy on the mitogenic responses of cancer patients.
- To characterize the cells responsible for immune suppression in untreated cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Daily intradermal injections of OK-432 (a streptococcal preparation) for 4 weeks in advanced cancer patients.
- Characterization of immune cells, including nylon wool non-adherent cells, and their suppressive activity.
- Assessment of mononuclear cell responses to plant lectins (PHA and Con A) in vitro.
Main Results:
- Nylon wool non-adherent cells from untreated patients suppressed autologous and allogeneic lymphocyte mitogenic responses.
- These suppressive cells lost activity after 7 days of in vitro culture.
- OK-432 immunotherapy led to increased mononuclear cell responses to PHA and Con A.
- Post-immunotherapy, nylon wool non-adherent cells no longer inhibited mitogen responses.
Conclusions:
- The study identified nylon wool non-adherent cells as key mediators of immune suppression in advanced cancer.
- OK-432 therapy appears to reduce the number or activity of these suppressive cells.
- These findings suggest OK-432's potential to restore immune function in cancer patients.