Use of BCG or levamisole as an adjunct to chemotherapy or radiotherapy in malignant lymphomas
Advani, S.H.; Gangal, S.G.; Gopal, R.; Nair, C.N.; Dinshaw, K.A.; Desai, P.B.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 81: 306-312
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 4018861 Document Number: 246832
Non-specific immunomodulators including BCG or levamisole were used as an adjunct to chemotherapy or radiotherapy in both Hodgkin's disease (HD) and nonHodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). In early stage HD, BCG and levamisole failed to show any effect over the use of radiotherapy alone. In the advanced stage of HD, disease-free surival as well as delayed type hypersensitive (DTH) appeared to be better though not significantly, in patients receiving combination chemotherapy interspersed with BCG as compared to chemotherapy alone. Levamisole proved to be ineffective both in HD and NHL as an immunorestorative agent. Non-specific immunotherapy in malignant lymphomas, administered during the induction phase of therapy may not have the desired beneficial effect.