OK-432, a hemolytic streptococcal preparation, was given orally (11 cases) and intracutaneously (14 cases) to intramucosal gastric cancer patients as postoperative adjuvant immunotherapy. The following results were obtained.
1) Oral administration of OK-432 enhanced the skin reactions to PPD, Su-PS and Su-PR to an extent similar to that after intracutaneous administration of OK-432.
2) Oral administration of OK-432 caused greater increases in the absolute count and the OKT-3 positive cell ratio of peripheral lymphocytes than did intracutaneous administration of it.
3) Oral administration of OK-432 enhanced the PHA blastoid reaction of peripheral lymphocytes to a greater extent than did intracutaneous administration of it.
4) No side effects were noted after oral OK-432 administration.
Thus, oral administration of OK-432 is considered to be a therapy which activates general cellmediated immune response, with effects that are comparable to those of intracutaneous administration of OK-432. Favorable results are anticipated upon further clinical evaluation of this extremely easy and safe dosing method.