[The effect of levamisole on non-resected lung cancer--the results of randomized controlled study]

Abstract

The effect of levamisole in the treatment of 61 non-resected lung cancer-26 squamous cell ca., 8 adenocarcinoma, 13 large cell ca. and 14 small cell ca- was studied by a randomized controlled trial. Levamisole was given at a daily dose of 150 mg per body weight for 3 consecutive days every 2 weeks. The main therapy, combining polychemotherapy and radiotherapy of standard dose or low dose, was given to both levamisole and control groups. The survival rate of the levamisole group was superior to that of the control group, with median survival time of 52 weeks in the former and 36 weeks in the latter, and with significant difference (p less than 0.05) during 46th to 52nd weeks. Comparing between the selected cases, the levamisole group was significantly superior (p less than 0.05) to the control group in all course examined, with median survival time of 64 weeks in the former and 36 weeks in the latter. Levamisole was more effective in the group of squamous and adenocarcinoma than large and small cell carcinoma. In the group where PPD reaction was negative at the time of initiation of the treatment levamisole was more effective than in the group of PPD positive, and also more effective in non-responders to the main therapy than responders. No side effect such as agranulocytosis was observed. Summarizing the present study, an immunotherapy employing levamisole combined with chemo-radiotherapy for non-resected lung cancer could be said to be effective in prolongation of survival time.