Enhanced Induction of Lymphokine-Activated Killer Activity After Lentinan Administration in Patients with Gastric Carcinoma

Authors: Shinya Arinaga, Nobuya Karimine, Kiyoshi Takamuku, Shigeru Nanbara, Hiroshi Inoue, Masaaki Nagamatsu, Hiroaki Ueo, and Tsuyoshi Akiyoshi

Journal: International Journal of Immunopharmacology

Study Design: The study was an uncontrolled clinical trial that investigated the effect of lentinan on the generation of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity and natural killer (NK) activity in patients with gastric carcinoma. The study also examined the changes in the distribution of lymphocyte subsets following lentinan administration.

Participants: 15 patients with gastric carcinoma

Intervention: The patients were given a single dose of 2 mg lentinan intravenously.

Outcome Measures:

• The generation of LAK activity, induced by in vitro activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) with interleukin 2 (IL-2)
• NK activity of PBM
• The distribution of lymphocyte subsets

Summary: The study found that the generation of LAK activity in PBM was significantly increased 5 days after lentinan injection. NK activity of PBM was also significantly augmented 7 days after the drug injection. However, there were no significant changes in the distribution of lymphocyte subsets following lentinan administration. The authors concluded that lentinan may be of therapeutic use in combination with IL-2 in cancer patients.