[Comparison of the effectiveness and adverse effects of a Corynebacterium parvum vaccine made in Czechoslovakia with Coparvax, a British preparation made by Wellcome, in the treatment of malignant pleural effusions]

Abstract

Malignant pleural effusion complicates various malignant diseases, most frequently lung and breast cancer. A group of 20 patients with this complication were treated with the Czechoslovak vaccine Corynebacterium parvum and the English preparation Coparvax, and their effects and side-effects were compared. Within 4 weeks following the application, 7 patients died. In 9 surviving patients, the exudate ceased to be replenished and in 4 persons, after intrapleural application of the preparation, it had to be evacuated one more time, but then its formation ceased. The therapeutical effect of both the Czechoslovak and English preparations was satisfactory. The side-effects of both preparations were comparable except for a significantly higher temperature elicited by the Czechoslovak vaccine. Both preparations Corynebacterium parvum are suitable for palliative treatment of malignant pleural exudates.