Combination of Corynebacterium Parvum and Cytostatic Drugs in Disseminated Human Cancers

Abstract

It is now known that C. parvum is a very potent experimental immunopotentiator that can increase macrophage production, increase phagocytosis and activation of macrophages, and activate the alternate pathway of complement. It also induces lymphocyte trapping and increases antibody production against both T-cell dependent and T-cell independent antigens, whereas it decreases GVH reactions and, in certain conditions, PHA transformation. C. parvum has also been shown to increase the production of colony stimulating factor. These properties explain why C. parvum has shown potent antitumor activity in a variety of animal systems, including T-cell deprived mice and has shown also synergism with cytostatic agents when applied to disseminated tumors.