Epstein-Barr virus-associated and other antiviral antibodies during intense BCG administration to patients with Burkitt's lymphoma in remission.

Abstract

Patients with Burkitt's lymphoma in chemotherapy-induced remission received through dermal scarifications one or two doses per week of approximately 3 X 10(8) living BCG organisms (Pasteur Institute vaccine). This treatment was always followed by usually rapid increases by 1--4 log2 steps in the antibody titers to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated cell membrane antigens. Titer increases of less than 2.5 log2 steps within the first month after the start of BCG treatment correlated with a significantly elevated frequency of extradural relapse as compared to that seen in patients with larger titer rises. During this time, antibodies to EBV-associated viral capsid antigens and early antigens of D and R specificity, as well as antibodies against herpes simplex, varicella, cytomegalovirus, measles, and respiratory syncytial virus antigens, did not show any consistent or impressive changes.

• Authors: P Gunvén, G Klein, J L Ziegler, I T Magrath, C L Olweny, W Henle, G Henle, A Svedmyr, A Demissie
• Journal: Journal of the National Cancer Institute (J Natl Cancer Inst) Vol. 60 Issue 1 Pg. 31-7 (Jan 1978) ISSN: 0027-8874 [Print] United States
• PMID: 203706 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• BCG Vaccine

Topics

• Antibodies, Viral (biosynthesis)
• BCG Vaccine (pharmacology)
• Burkitt Lymphoma (immunology, therapy)
• Capsid (immunology)
• Cytomegalovirus (immunology)
• Female
• Herpesvirus 4, Human (immunology)
• Humans
• Male
• Measles virus (immunology)
• Recurrence
• Remission, Spontaneous
• Simplexvirus (immunology)