[The clinical value of long-term administration of OK-432 in head and neck cancer].

In order to evaluate the clinical effect of longer-term administration of OK-432, 72 cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with stage III and IV were divided into two groups: a shorter-term group (25 cases), given OK-432 for less than 6 months mainly during the period of admission, a longer-term group (47 cases), given OK-432 for more than 6 months not only for the period of admission but also during ambulation. The immunological parameters and the cumulative survival rates were compared between the two groups. In the longer-term group, the absolute number of peripheral lymphocytes was significantly higher and the positive rate of skin reaction with PPD was higher than in the shorter-term group. However there was no difference in the positive rate of skin reaction with Su-PS between the two groups. OKT4/OKT 8 ratio and PHA blastogenic rate were higher, although not to a statistically significant extent, in the longer-term group. The cumulative survival rate was significantly higher up to 12 months (p less than 0.01) and 18 months (p less than 0.05) in the longer-term group than the shorter-term group. These results of the immunological parameters and the cumulative survival rates suggest the clinical efficacy of longer-term administration of OK-432.

[Combination chemotherapy of cisplatin, vincristine and peplomycin for patients with head and neck carcinoma].

The effectiveness of combined CDDP chemotherapy with other anticancer drugs in patients with head and neck carcinoma was investigated. The response rate for COP therapy (CDDP, Vincristine, Peplomycin) was better than those for CDDP administration only or CP (CDDP Peplomycin) therapy for carcinomas of the head and neck. Forty-seven cases treated with COP therapy, were analyzed in detail. (1) Non-treated fresh cases showed a better response than recurrent cases. In other words, the induction chemotherapy is useful. (2) The grade of differentiation of squamous cell carcinoma had no correlation with the response. (3) No relationship between the primary site and the respose rate was detected. (4) Nephrotoxicity was considered to be the dose-limiting factor of CDDP therapy. COP therapy did not show any remarkable side effects. COP chemotherapy is therefore concluded to be effective for the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

[Immunotherapy, with OK-432 for cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

The prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is very poor, due to the extreme failure of the immuno-surveillance mechanism in such cases. As an immunotherapeutic agent, OK-432 was administered to NPC patients. Cases were divided into two groups. One was given OK-432 for less than 6 months (short-term group), while a long-term group, was treated with OK-432 for over 6 months. These two groups were evaluated for immunological activity and prognosis. As immunological parameters, the numbers of white blood cells and lymphocytes were counted, and delayed skin reactivities with Su-PS and PPD were determined. No influence on the number of white blood cells and lymphocytes could be observed in either of the two groups. However, the skin tests showed better improvement of immunity in the long-term group than in the short-term cases. Furthermore, these reactivities correlated well with the clinical status of NPC patients. As to the absolute number of lymphocytes, improvement in the long-term NPC group was delayed in comparison to that of another head and neck carcinoma group given long-term OK-432 treatment. The prognosis of the long-term administered group was apparently better than that of the short-term group. Long-term administration of OK-432 is therefore indispensable for the treatment of NPC cases, because of the extreme decline of their immunity.

[Chemotherapy with FT-207 suppository (Futraful Supo) in head and neck cancer--cooperative studies by six medical schools in Kanagawa Prefecture].

Chemotherapy with FT-207 suppository (Futraful supo) for head and neck cancer was studied by Six Medical Schools in Kanagawa Prefecture, and its effectiveness and side effects were examined. Seventy-five cases were treated with this drug. However, thirty-four cases were used for the final evaluation, with regard to the given dose etc. Generally, the effectiveness rate was 23.5%. Thyroid cancer, nasal cancer and paranasal sinus cancer gave the best results. All four cases of adenocarcinoma showed an effect. One case, who was given a higher dose, showed an increased effect. Also, cases which has not been treated with any other therapeutic procedure previously, showed a significant effectiveness rate. Side effects were observed in 45.2% of cases. These were largely appetite loss and so on, which concerned the digestive system. On the whole, it has been proved that FT-207 suppository (Futraful Supo) is useful as an induction chemotherapeutic drug for head and neck cancer.