Combination chemoimmunotherapy for extensive non-oat cell lung cancer

In a prospective randomized trial, sc Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvum) immunotherapy did not significantly affect the response and survival of 49 non-oat cell lung cancer patients receiving isophosphamide and adriamycin chemotherapy. Remissions (tumor regression > 50%) were seen in five of 23 patients receiving an intensive C. parvum schedule and in three of 26 patients receiving a nonintensive C. parvum schedule (22% versus 12%). Median survival was 20 weeks for patients given intensive C. parvum and 23 weeks for patients given nonintensive C. parvum. This study did demonstrate the importance of pretherapy immunocompetence, performance status, and weight loss as predictors for survival. Weight loss was the most significant prognostic factor. Performance status was closely associated with weight loss but skin reactivity to dermatophytin predicted independently and was the second most important prognostic characteristic.