Effect of BCG on delayed hypersensitivity responses of patients with neoplastic disease

Abstract

Abstract BCG is a potent immunologic stimulant which can increase cellular immune responses generally, as well as induce sensitivity to tuberculin. A single BCG vaccination induced significant increases in delayed hypersensitivity responses of patients whose neoplastic disease was under good control. Repeated vaccinations exerted cumulative effects, and very substantial increases in delayed skin test responses to a battery of antigens were seen in some groups of patients. The major determinant of responsiveness to these effects of BCG was the status of the neoplastic disease. Patients with uncontrolled, actively progressing disease showed little immunologic response to BCG vaccination.