Modifying the biological response to acute myeloid leukemia I. BCG, allogeneic leukemic cells and spontaneous cytotoxicity.

The natural killer activity was measured in lymphocytes from 21 healthy controls and 18 patients with acute myeloid leukemia in complete remission. Seven patients were treated with chemotherapy alone and 11 were given chemoimmunotherapy. Immunotherapy consisted of BCG and allogeneic, viable leukemic cells. The NK activity was found to be significantly lower (p less than 0.01) in the chemotherapy group than in the controls. In the chemoimmunotherapy group a normal NK activity was maintained.