EFFECTS OF REPEATED CORYNEBACTERIUM-PARVUM AND BCG THERAPY ON IMMUNE PARAMETERS - WEEKLY SEQUENTIAL STUDY OF MELANOMA PATIENTS .1. CHANGES IN NONSPECIFIC (NK-CELL, K-CELL AND T-CELL) LYMPHOCYTOTOXICITY, PERIPHERAL-BLOOD COUNTS AND DELAYED-HYPERSENSITIVITY REACTIONS

Abstract

Increased lymphocyte cytotoxicity, particularly of killer K [antibody-dependent killer cells] cell type was recorded with repeated immunizations of C. parvum [Propionibacterium acnes] or BCG. A 3 wk interval between immunizations was capable of maintaining the increase in cytotoxicity. No marked alterations of recall skin hypersensitivity reactions nor of peripheral blood counts were noted. Expression of cytotoxicity results as percentage 51Cr release, lytic units/ml and cytotoxic capacity (after logit transformation of the cytotoxicity-lymphocyte curves) were described. A 3 wk immunization schedule was suggested where BCG and C. parvum are used as immunotherapeutic agents, in the doses quoted.