[Negative results of a randomized therapeutic trial of nonspecific immunotherapy in primary, surgically-treated non-small cell bronchial cancer]

Abstract

Between March 1978 and May 1981, 219 patients suffering from non-small cell primary bronchial carcinoma underwent surgical excision which was intended to be curative. Three weeks later the patients were randomised into two groups: 1. A control group, with no other treatment following excision (110 patients). 2. A non-specific immunotherapy group (109 patients). The immunostimulant used was an aqueous suspension of heat killed mycobacterium smegmatis administered subcutaneously once a month. The trial was analysed on December 1, 1982. There were 117 recurrences and 112 deceased. There was no significant difference as regard survival without relapse or overall survival; all causes of death were included.