A new approach in the immunotherapy of carcinoma of the colon and rectum

Abstract

Although the therapy of carcinoma of the colon and rectum has been investigated, little progress has been made in prolonging the survival in these patients. Specific active immunotherapy may provide the answer. Previous investigators have shown that colorectal cancer elicits an immune response and may be susceptible to immunologic manipulation. My laboratory has shown that a live vaccinia virus‐augmented (vaccinia oncolysate) tumor cell vaccine is safe and may be worthwhile in the surgical adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer. Nine patients with advanced cancer were treated. 0/9 showed adverse effect and 3/9 showed lack of progression of disease. Randomized prospective trials are now underway.