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Immunotherapy with autologous white cell infusions (“lymphocytes”) in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. A preliminary report
Author(s) -
Young Harold,
Kaplan Alan,
Regelson William
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197709)40:3<1037::aid-cncr2820400311>3.0.co;2-9
Subject(s) - medicine , lymphocyte , chemotherapy , immunotherapy , craniotomy , surgery , neurotoxicity , radiation therapy , nitrosourea , glioma , glioblastoma , cancer , immunology , toxicity , cancer research
Autologous leukocytes (10 7 to 10 9 ), obtained with the Haemonetics's Leukaphoresis apparatus, were inoculated directly into recurrent glioblastoma tumors via indwelling catheters or by direct intratumoral injection through existing craniotomy openings. The rational use for autologous leukocyte (lymphocyte) infusions was based on in vitro autologous lymphocyte cytotoxicity to glioblastoma cells in the absence of serum inhibitory factors. Seven of 17 patients treated had life expectancy under 1 month; all patients had received definitive surgery, and all but two received radiation, nitrosourea chemotherapy and/or dexamethasone, and showed evidence of clinically recurrent disease. Following autologous leukocyte infusion (lymphocyte/granulocyte ratio 1:1), eight patients sustained clinical improvement and were alive up to 17 months later. No neurotoxicity ascribable to the procedure has been observed. One patient, who was comatose at the time of single leukocyte infusion, returned to full activity and lived for 17 months without an increase in tumor mass by brain scan. These results suggest that infusions of autologous leukocytes (lymphocyte‐monocytes) directly into glioblastoma may be a viable additional treatment for glioblastoma and certainly warrants further evaluation.