Effect of BCG immunotherapy on the active-T and total T-RFC in patients with lung cancer

Summary This report describes a study of the active T-RFC, the total T-RFC, and the in vitro lymphocyte response to PHA stimulation in patients with inoperable, locally advanced, lung cancer before and monthly after either radiotherapy alone (RT) or RT-BCG (TICE strain). Pre-RT active and total T-RFC values were seen to be prognostic to patient survival. Immunoenhancement was demonstrated for RT-BCG patients who had significantly higher percentages of active T-RFC and greater PHA responses post-RT than patients treated by RT alone. These data suggest that the active T-RFC may reflect increased nonspecific immunity induced by BCG and be a good correlate to patient immunocompetence. The comparative relevance of the active and total T-RFC to patient clinical progress and survival are discussed.Abbreviations BCG= Bacillus Calmette-Guerin - RT= radiotherapy - T-lymphocyte= thymus-dependent lymphocyte - RFC= rosette-forming cell - PHA= phytohemagglutinin - SRBC= sheep red blood cells - PBL= peripheral blood lymphocyte Supported by the Medical Research Service of the Veterans AdministrationWe acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of Mrs. Barbara Kase and Mrs. Sue Brozio