Immunotherapy of patients with terminal-stage malignant tumors with an immunopotentiator OK-432--a comparison of SU-PS test-responding and -nonresponding patients.

Terminal malignant tumor cases were treated with immunopotentiator OK-432. The absolute numbers of neutrophils and lymphocytes and different lymphocyte subsets were determined, and SU-PS and PPD skin tests were also performed to monitor the immunologic status of each patient. The SU-PS test changed to positive in one-third of the patients 2-6 weeks after the start of therapy. The SU-PS responding patients showed an increase in lymphocytes and Leu II+ cells, and an elevation of the OK T4/T8 ratio 2 weeks later. In all patients from the responding group, the (OKIal+ - Bl+) cells decreased in the peripheral blood immediately after the positive change in the SU-PS test. In the SU-PS nonresponding group, the OKT4+ cells tended to decline with time, while the OKT8+ cells increased. That is, the OKT4/T8 ratio remained low throughout the test period. In the SU-PS responding group, OK-432 therapy prolonged the survival time.