Studies on the Effects of Oral Administration of Ok-432 as Postoperative Adjuvant Immunotherapy

Abstract

OK-432, a hemolytic streptococcal preparation, was given orally (11 cases) and intracutaneously (14 cases) to intramucosal gastric cancer patients as postoperative adjuvant immunotherapy. The following results were obtained.1) Oral administration of OK-432 enhanced the skin reactions to PPD, Su-PS and Su-PR to an extent similar to that after intracutaneous administration of OK-432.2) Oral administration of OK-432 caused greater increases in the absolute count and the OKT-3 positive cell ratio of peripheral lymphocytes than did intracutaneous administration of it.3) Oral administration of OK-432 enhanced the PHA blastoid reaction of peripheral lymphocytes to a greater extent than did intracutaneous administration of it. 4) No side effects were noted after oral OK-432 administration.Thus, oral administration of OK-432 is considered to be a therapy which activates general cell-mediated immune response, with effects that are comparable to those of intracutaneous administration of OK-432. Favorable results are anticipated upon further clinical evaluation of this extremely easy and safe dosing method.