IMMUNOSTIMULATING ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT D OSAGES OF MISTLETOE LECTIN-1 IN PATIENTS WITH MAMMARY-CARCINOMA

Cellular aspects of the immunomodulating activity of a proprietary mis tletoe extract (Eurixor(R)) standardized for mistletoe lectin-1 (ML-1) were investigated in patients suffering from mammary carcinoma (n = 2 0). Regular subcutaneous injections of the different dosages (0.5 and 1.0 ng ML-1/kg body weight, twice a week, for 5 weeks) yielded statist ically significant increases of defined peripheral blood lymphocyte su bsets (helper T-cells, natural killer (NK)-cells) which are generally believed to be involved in antitumor activity. Moreover, administratio n of either ML-1 concentration resulted in enhanced expression of acti vation markers such as interleukin-2 receptors and HLA/DR-antigens on peripheral blood T-lymphocytes. This study suggests that regular subcu taneous administration of both ML-1 concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 ng/kg body weight) can efficiently stimulate the cellular immune system of c ancer patients.