ISSN:
1432-0851
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Leukocyte migration inhibition tests (LMIT) were performed to measure the immunologic reactivity of patients with initially operable breast cancer. Leukocyte migration was inhibited in 38% of 159 patients in the presence of autologous tumor extract, in 33% of 160 subjects in the presence of autologous serum, and in 47% of 148 patients in the presence of extract and serum. These patients formed part of a randomized clinical trial comparing conventional treatment complemented by injections of poly A · poly U with conventional treatment and injection of saline as a placebo. A sequential study was carried out, testing the leukocyte reactivity 7 days, 2 months, 4 months, and 1 year after the operation. The percentage of patients with positive LMIT increased significantly with time. Statistical comparison revealed no significant difference in the reaction of the two therapeutic groups. In addition, no significant difference was found between those with lymph node involvement and those without, although the percentage of positive LMIT in the presence of tumor extract appeared to be higher in the second group 1 year after surgery. Radiotherapy given to those with lymph node involvement did not significantly change their reaction. This study also confirmed the presence in some autologous sera of a synergistic factor (SS factor) that increased the inhibition of migration of leukocytes by autologous tumor extract. This factor was found in 18 patients, who were equally distributed between the two therapeutic groups. In the group with synergistic factor, the percentage with lymph node involvement appeared greater (83% compared with 68% among those patients who had no SS factor), and the incidence of distant metastases was also raised (44% compared with 21%). This factor seemed to indicate a poor prognosis. Moreover, there was a difference in the results between the two therapeutic groups in patients with synergistic factor. Of nine patients undergoing conventional treatment, six developed metastases, whereas only two of the nine patients also receiving poly A · poly U developed metastases. The same trend was observed throughout the trial population.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00200148
Permalink
