[Relation between prognosis and the Su-PS skin reaction in patients with non-resected primary lung cancer receiving OK-432]

Abstract

Chemotherapy and administration of OK-432 were performed concomitantly in 49 cases of inoperable primary lung cancer, and the Su-PS skin reaction was measured. In the group of patients under 60 years of age, the maximum diameter of the reaction after chemotherapy tended to be large, and evaluation of the results showed that the maximum diameter tended to be large in the group showing tumor contraction effects. In a comparison of the prognosis between the group which survived for less than 6 months and that which survived for 6 months or longer, there was no significant difference between them before administration of OK-432, but when the maximum reaction diameter after chemotherapy was compared, that in the group which survived for 6 months or longer was significantly stronger (p less than 0.05). The Su-PS skin reaction at the time of administration of OK-432 is therefore considered to be a useful immunological parameter for predicting the results of treatment and also for prognosis.