The effect of methanol extraction residue of BCG on the cellular immune response in patients with malignant melanoma. 1979

A Bartal, and Y Cohen, and T Mekori, and R Haasz, and E Robinson

Twenty-one patients with malignant melanoma stage III and IV were treated by intradermal injections of MER--methanol extraction residue of Baccillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Twelve of the patients, all with active disease, received chemotherapy in addition. Tests of skin reactivity to recall antigens and in vitro lymphocyte transformation by phytohemagglutinin (PHA), purified protein derivative (PPD), Canadidine, and Varidase were performed in 19 of the patients before and after the MER therapy. The skin reactivity improved in 8 patients, 5 patients maintained their cutaneous competence, 3 remained incompetent, and in 3 other patients a decrease in reactivity occurred. Improvement or maintenance of cutaneous response was more common in stage III than in stage IV patients. The in vitro lymphocyte stimulation tests have shown that reactivity increased or remained at a high level in 9 of 11 patients in stage III. It dropped or remained low in 2 patients in respect to all antigens used in spite of repeated MER injections. In most patients with stage IV disease no improvement could be detected. MER seems to be a potent immunostimulator in patients in stage III. The side effects were tolerable in all patients and consisted of local reactions and influenza-like symptoms. In 4 patients treated with MER by intralesional injections, transient flattening of nodules occurred but no complete regression was observed.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007111 Immunity, Cellular Manifestations of the immune response which are mediated by antigen-sensitized T-lymphocytes via lymphokines or direct cytotoxicity. This takes place in the absence of circulating antibody or where antibody plays a subordinate role. Cell-Mediated Immunity,Cellular Immune Response,Cell Mediated Immunity,Cell-Mediated Immunities,Cellular Immune Responses,Cellular Immunities,Cellular Immunity,Immune Response, Cellular,Immune Responses, Cellular,Immunities, Cell-Mediated,Immunities, Cellular,Immunity, Cell-Mediated,Response, Cellular Immune
D008213 Lymphocyte Activation Morphologic alteration of small B LYMPHOCYTES or T LYMPHOCYTES in culture into large blast-like cells able to synthesize DNA and RNA and to divide mitotically. It is induced by INTERLEUKINS; MITOGENS such as PHYTOHEMAGGLUTININS, and by specific ANTIGENS. It may also occur in vivo as in GRAFT REJECTION. Blast Transformation,Blastogenesis,Lymphoblast Transformation,Lymphocyte Stimulation,Lymphocyte Transformation,Transformation, Blast,Transformation, Lymphoblast,Transformation, Lymphocyte,Activation, Lymphocyte,Stimulation, Lymphocyte
D008297 Male Males
D008545 Melanoma A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445) Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000432 Methanol A colorless, flammable liquid used in the manufacture of FORMALDEHYDE and ACETIC ACID, in chemical synthesis, antifreeze, and as a solvent. Ingestion of methanol is toxic and may cause blindness. Alcohol, Methyl,Carbinol,Sodium Methoxide,Wood Alcohol,Alcohol, Wood,Methoxide, Sodium,Methyl Alcohol

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