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BCG in the immunotherapy of malignant lymphomas

Current results of a controlled trial

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Summary

The effectiveness of a nonspecific immunostimulation in related human or animal diseases incited us to do a study of nonspecific immunotherapy by BCG in Hodgkin's disease, and then in other malignant lymphomas. Seventy patients, each one fulfilling at least 2 criteria of poor prognosis, were initially put in complete remission by a combination of radio-chemotherapy, followed by a reinforcing chemotherapy. These patients were then randomized into two groups. The first group received no further treatment; the second received BCG in weekly cutaneous scarifications. Eight patients were excluded from the study. The rate of relapses is significantly lower in the treated group. The results are discussed. Other therapeutic studies are necessary to fix the indications and modalities of this immunotherapy.

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Communication to the Medical Oncology Society, Nice, December 7, 1976

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Hœrni, B., Chauvergne, J., Hœrni-Simon, G. et al. BCG in the immunotherapy of malignant lymphomas. Cancer Immunol Immunother 3, 57–60 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00199326

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00199326

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