Clinical evaluation of sizofilan as assistant immunotherapy in treatment of head and neck cancer.

Sizofilan (SPG), a simple glucan produced in a culture medium by Schizophyllum commune Feries, was used as an assistant immunotherapy in 15 patients with head and neck cancer. The cumulative 5-year survival rate was 86.7% in the SPG-treated group and 73.4% in the control group. Immunological parameters showed that the SPG group quickly recovered the cellular immunity damaged by radiation, chemotherapy and surgical procedure. SPG was found to be effective as an assistant immunotherapeutic agent in the treatment of head and neck.