Locoregional immunotherapy of malignant effusion from colorectal cancer using the streptococcal preparation OK-432 plus Interleukin-2
2003

Immunotherapy for Colorectal Cancer Effusion Using OK-432 and IL-2

Sample size: 16 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Yamaguchi Y, Miyahara E, Ohshita A, Kawabuchi Y, Ohta K, Shimizu K, Minami K, Hihara J, Sawamura A, Toge T

Primary Institution: Department of Surgical Oncology, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Japan

Hypothesis

The efficacy of locoregional immunotherapy for malignant effusion using OK-432 plus IL-2 is dependent on the induction of CD4+ effector lymphocytes.

Conclusion

Locoregional administration of OK-432 alone or with IL-2 is highly effective for managing malignant effusion from colorectal cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • 82% response rate with OK-432 alone and 100% with OK-432 plus IL-2.
  • Overall response rate of 88% for the treatment.
  • Median survival of 8 months for patients treated.

Takeaway

Doctors used a special treatment to help patients with fluid buildup from colorectal cancer, and it worked really well for most of them.

Methodology

Patients received locoregional administration of OK-432 and IL-2, and clinical efficacy was assessed through cytological and imaging examinations.

Limitations

The study did not address the effects on distant metastases, and all patients eventually died.

Participant Demographics

{"age":{"median":59,"range":"39-72"},"gender":{"male":7,"female":9},"performance_status":{"0":1,"1":3,"2":9,"3":3},"primary_operation":{"yes":14,"no":2},"histology":{"differentiated":14,"undifferentiated":2},"effusion":{"pleural":3,"ascites":13},"concurrent_metastasis":{"liver":10,"lung":3,"lymph_nodes":12,"bone":2}}

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6601379

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