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A preliminary report on the use of transfer factor for treating stage D3 hormone-unresponsive metastatic prostate
G Pizza1, C De Vinci, D Cuzzocrea
1Immunodiagnosis and Immunotherapy Unit, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
Abstract:
As conventional treatments are unsuccessful, the survival rate of stage D3 prostate cancer patients is poor. Reports have suggested the existence of humoral and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) against prostate cancer tumour-associated antigens (TAA). These observations prompted us to treat stage D3 prostate cancer patients with an in vitro produced transfer factor (TF) able to transfer, in vitro and in vivo, CMI against bladder and prostate TAA. Fifty patients entered this study and received one intramuscular injection of 2-5 units of specific TF monthly. Follow-up, ranging from 1 to 9 years, showed that complete remission was achieved in 2 patients, partial remission in 6, and no progression of metastatic disease in 14. The median survival was 126 weeks, higher than the survival rates reported in the literature for patients of the same stage.
Insights
This study investigated transfer factor (TF) therapy for advanced prostate cancer. TF immunotherapy showed promising results, improving survival rates in stage D3 prostate cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Conventional treatments for stage D3 prostate cancer offer poor survival rates.
- Evidence suggests the presence of immune responses against prostate cancer tumor-associated antigens (TAA).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of in vitro produced transfer factor (TF) in treating stage D3 prostate cancer patients.
- To assess TF's ability to transfer cell-mediated immunity (CMI) against TAA.
Main Methods:
- Fifty stage D3 prostate cancer patients received monthly intramuscular injections of specific TF (2-5 units).
- Treatment outcomes and survival were monitored over a 1-9 year follow-up period.
Main Results:
- Complete remission was observed in 2 patients, partial remission in 6 patients.
- 14 patients experienced no progression of metastatic disease.
- The median survival was 126 weeks, exceeding reported rates for this stage.
Conclusions:
- Transfer factor (TF) immunotherapy demonstrates potential as a treatment for stage D3 prostate cancer.
- TF therapy may improve survival outcomes and disease control in advanced prostate cancer patients.
- Further research into TF's role in cancer immunotherapy is warranted.