Abstract
On patients with malignant urogenital tumors (renal tumor 10 cases, bladder cancer 16 cases, prostatic cancer 6 cases and urethral cancer 1 case), changes in K-cell population of their peripheral blood were measured by means of plaque forming technique, and the significance of these changes were examined, together with the influences thereupon by immunotherapy.
1) Patients with malignant urogenital tumors accompanied by metastases. K-cell population (N=16) showed significantly (p<0.01) lower values (4.9±2.5%) than healthy adults (8.8±1.6%: N=13) and patients with malignant tumors without metastasis (8.1±1.9%: N=17). No significant differences were observed in the number of peripheral lymphocytes among these 3 groups.
2) In 12 cases on immunotherapy mainly by OK-432, K-cell population showed a significant (p<0.01) increase (6.6±2.1%→10.2±2.1%) one month after therapy and anti-group A streptococcus C-polysaccharide antibody (ASP) also showed a significant (p<0.05) increase, though with a 128-fold maximum value. No significant changes were observed in the number of peripheral lymphocytes and in immunoglobulins.
3) OK-432 was suggested to develop a tumor-specific immunological action based upon ASP-mediated ADCC activity and upon the antigen cross reaction between the tumor and the streptococcus.
