Immunotherapy and chemotherapy of gynecologic cancers

Abstract

Recurrent cervical, ovarian, and breast cancers have been treated with immunochemotherapy. Optimum chemotherapeutic agents have been determined by direct and indirect methods of sensitivity determination. The Hellström assay has been used for lymphocyte-tumor recognition and for cytotoxicity assays. Vaccines developed in this laboratory, consisting of autologous and allogeneic tumor-associated antigens, combined with BCG, have been used in immunotherapy. Objective tumor regression and notable clinical improvements have been observed. Forty-five advanced cases, including recurrent cancers of the cervix and ovary, along with sarcomas, breast malignancies, and melanomas, have been treated: 16 patients have died of their disease and 29 patients have survived for 6 months to 1 1/2 years. Some of these have shown either regression, total disappearance, or stabilization of their disease process. While the results of these preliminary studies are encouraging, the as yet unknown potential of this modality cannot be expected until it is applied earlier, at a time when residual tumor cells are minimal.