SPG is a new polysaccharide which has been extracted from the fermentation juice of Suehirotake (Schizophyllum commune). It has been reported to exhibit a unique antitumor effect, based on its immunoactivity enhancing effect.
Since October 1976, our clinical study has been carried out 26 patients with head and neck cancer who had been treated with SPG, singly or combination with other therapies. SPG was administrated intramuscularly, intravenously or locally in the dosage of 5-30mg for the longest possible periods. The frequency of administration was adjusted to every day, every other day, once or twice per week or month, depending on the conditions of the patients.
No adverse reaction in hematogenesis organ, liver and kidney was observed.
In most cases, immunoglobrin and aiantitrypsin values were returning towards normal ranges after treatment with SPG. Peripheral blood T lymphocyte was increased in 8 out of 17 cases in which its time course could be examined (over 1000/mm3, over 60% respectively). Positive PPD skin reaction was seen more frequently in patients treated with SPG-BCG combination, though some cases treated with SPG alone gave positive reaction.
These results indicate that SPG is capable of enhancing nonspesific cellular immunoactivity in patient with head and neck cancer, restoring immunoglobulin, aiantitrypsin to normal levels.
