Summary
To evaluate the immune-stimulating properties of 2-(2-cyanaziridinyl-[1]-)-2-(2-carbamoylaziridinyl-[1]-) propane (INN azimexon) a randomized double-blind study was performed in 30 cancer patients with different solid tumors. A group of 15 patients received 300 mg azimexon PO over a 7-day period, while 15 other patients received a placebo. We could not demonstrate an increase of total or active T lymphocytes, and the 3H-thymidine uptake of isolated lymphocytes with or without PHA stimulation was not increased when tested 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after the beginning of therapy. The serum concentration of IgM showed a slight but not significant increase, while IgG, IgA, C3, and C4 levels remained unchanged. The major side-effect was a significant decrease of hemoglobin and red blood cell count after azimexon administration, which was even more pronounced in four patients given 900 mg azimexon.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Bicker U (1978) Immunomodulating effects of BM 12531 in animals and tolerance in man. Cancer Treat Rep 62:1987–1996
Bicker U, Hebold G, Ziegler AE, Haas V (1978a) Influence of BM 12531 (Prop. INN azimexon) on the percentage of activated T-lymphocytes in vitro. IRCS Med Sci 6:455
Bicker U, Hebold G, Ziegler AE, Maus W (1978b) Animal experiments on the compensation of the immunosuppressive action of cyclophosphamide by 2-(-2-cyanaziridinyl-[1]-)-2-(-2-carbamoylaziridinyl-[1])-propane BM 12531. Exp Pathol 15:49–62
Boerner D, Bicker U, Ziegler AE, Stosiek U, Peters HJ (1979) Influence of BM 12531 (Prop. INN azimexon) on the lymphocyte transformation and the percentage of active T-lymphocytes in vivo and in vitro in man. Cancer Immunol Immunother 6:237–242
Bonfert B, Bicker U, Hebold G, Maus W (1977) Increased phagocytosis of latex particles as a sign of activation of macrophages by BM 12531. IRCS Med Sci 5:523
Fudenberg HH, Wybran J, Robbins D (1975) T-rosette forming cells, cellular immunity and cancer. N Engl J Med 292:475
Melchert F, Kreienberg R, Bicker U, Boerner D, Lemmel E-M (1980) Immune restoration by a new nonspecific immunostimulant (BM 12.531) in breast cancer patients under chemotherapy. Proceedings of the 15th German Cancer Congress, Munich
Micksche M, Colot M, Bicker U (1978) BM 12531 (Prop. INN azimexon)-induced increase of lymphocyte blastogenesis response to PHA. IRCS Med Sci 6:434
Müller L, Micksche M, Bicker U (1979) Increase of active T-rosette-forming cells of cancer patients by in-vitro incubation with BM 12531. IRCS Med Sci 7:259
Niederle N, Butin N, Illiger HJ, Labedzki L, Schmidt R, Stroehmann I, Boerner D (1979) Chronisch lymphatische Leukämie — klinische und hämatologische Befunde unter Immunostimulation. Verh Dtsch Ges Inn Med 85:744–747
Schulz JI, Florentin I, Bourut C, Bicker U, Mathé G (1978) Delayed-type hypersensitivity response and humoral antibody formation in mice treated with a new immunostimulant. IRCS Med Sci 6:215
Wybran J, Carr MC, Fudenberg HH (1972) The human rosette-forming cell as a marker of a population of thymus-derived cells. J. Clin Invest 51:2537–2543
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Heim, M.E., Maßner, B., Knebel, L. et al. Influence of oral BM 12531 (INN azimexon) on immune response in untreated cancer patients. Cancer Immunol Immunother 12, 87–90 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00200317
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00200317