IMMUNOSTIMULATION BY PROPIONIBACTERIA - EFFECTS ON IMMUNE STATUS AND ANTINEOPLASTIC TREATMENT

Experimental studies were performed to investigate further the effects of immunotherapy with Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 on thymocyte pro liferation, maturation and emigration in BALB/c-mice. Thymus weight an d thymocyte counts, especially cells presenting the immature or cytoto xic/suppressor phenotype were significantly increased. Due to enhanced emigration, peripheral blood lymphocyte and monocyte counts as well a s expression of activation markers were significantly up-regulated. Th e antimetastatic effect of Propionibacterium avidum KP-40 was demonstr ated in BALB/c-mice, where RAW 117-H10 lymphosarcoma liver colonizatio n was significantly reduced after immunostimulation. Clinical investig ations proved that surgical treatment of colorectal carcinoma induced an evident decrease of peripheral blood Lymphocytes as compared with p reoperative counts. However, single preoperative Propionibacterium avi dum KP-40 administration induced a considerable increase of peripheral white blood cell counts, especially lymphocytes. Clinical effects of preoperative immunostimulation by Propionibacterium granulosum KP-45 w ere investigated in a prospective randomized trial in colorectal carci noma patients. Positive effects on survival time, local tumor recurren ce and distant metastasis could be demonstrated in stages I and II, wh ereas no advantage of immunotherapy was found in advanced stages III a nd IV. A recent prospective randomized clinical trial was initiated on the quality of life of colorectal carcinoma patients. Three months af ter surgical treatment negative effects could not be determined after immunotherapy. Quality of live even proved to be better in patients wi th abdominoperineal resection as compared to non Propionibacterium avi dum KP-40 treated control patients.