Abstract
A case of T-cell lymphoma achieved a complete remission by a single treatment with OK-432 is reported. A 73 years old female had a 3 months' history of progressive enlargement of generalized lymphadenopathy and numerous subcutaneous tumor formations. Histological picture of the biopsied lymph node revealed malignant lymphoma of diffuse and poorly differentiated type, of which cells were compatible to convoluted cells with T cell marker demonstrating E-rosettes. Skin tumor revealed infiltration of same cells as lymph nodes. The WBC count was 6,800 with 19% lymphocytes which were not morphologically pathological. An aspirated bone marrow revealed normal cellularity with a M/E ratio of 5.5, and contained 2.8% of pathological convoluted lymphocytes. The percent of T cells and blastogenic response to PHA of the circulating lymphocytes were 76.5% and 92.5%, respectively. Because the patient was a person of very advanced age, she was treated with single immunotherapy with intramuscular injection of OK-432 at a dosis of 0.2 to 2 KE 3 times a week. Following the therapy, a rapid lysis of tumors ensued with complete resolution of lymphadenopathy and skin nodules 6 and 10 weeks later, respectively. The number of T cells and blastogenic response to PHA of the circulating lymphocytes were both reduced after OK-432 therapy in pararell with the regression of tumors.
The dramatic response of this patient to OK-432 suggests a necessity and usefulness of further trial for this type of T cell lymphoma, which is usually refractory to chemotherapy.
