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Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII1986; 21(2); 133-140; doi: 10.1007/BF00199861

Equine sarcoid: BCG immunotherapy compared to cryosurgery in a prospective randomised clinical trial.

Abstract: A total of 30 horses with single or multiple sarcoid tumors of the skin were randomly divided into three treatment groups: (i) cryosurgical treatment, (ii) intralesional immunotherapy with a live BCG vaccine, (iii) intralesional immunotherapy with a BCG cell wall preparation. Complete tumour regression was obtained in all 10 cryosurgically treated horses, in 6 of 10 live BCG treated horses, and in 7 of 10 BCG cell wall treated horses. One live BCG and 2 BCG cell wall treated horses showed partial tumour regression of more than 50% of the tumour area. Eleven horses with sarcoid tumours were not eligible for random allocation in the trial because unfavourable site or size of the tumour precluded cryosurgical treatment. These animals were treated with BCG cell wall vaccine except for 1 animal, which was treated with live BCG. In 4 cases this treatment was combined with cytoreductive surgery of the tumour. In this prognostically unfavourable group 8 animals showed complete tumour regression and 3 animals did not respond. Regression after BCG immunotherapy appeared to correlate with size (larger tumours worse response) and localization of the sarcoid (less favourable results in the limb), and increase in peripheral blood leucocytes after the first injection. Horses with a positive delayed type hypersensitivity reaction to PPD before the start of treatment showed a tendency to more favourable prognosis than PPD negative horses. No correlation was present between regression and single or multiple presence of sarcoids, increase in body temperature after injection of BCG and the formation of specific antibodies to BCG. None of the cured animals have shown tumour recurrence 3 to 40 months following treatment.
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Publication Date: 1986-01-01 PubMed ID: 3633215DOI: 10.1007/BF00199861Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research compared three treatments for skin tumors in horses: cryosurgical treatment, intralesional immunotherapy with a live BCG vaccine, and intralesional immunotherapy with a BCG cell wall preparation. The results suggested that cryosurgical treatment was the most effective, although BCG immunotherapy also showed promise.

Study Design

  • The study involved 30 horses, all of whom had single or multiple sarcoid skin tumors. These horses were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups.
  • The first group was treated with cryosurgery, a procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissue.
  • The second group received intralesional immunotherapy with a live BCG vaccine. This treatment involves injecting a live, attenuated (weakened) form of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis directly into the tumor. The aim is to stimulate an immune response that will attack the tumor cells.
  • The third group received intralesional immunotherapy with a BCG cell wall preparation. The cell wall preparation is made from components of the bacteria and is also intended to stimulate an immune response against the tumor.
  • Additionally, an “unfavorable” group of 11 horses with sarcoid tumors that were not suitable for cryosurgery received BCG cell wall vaccinations.

Results

  • All 10 horses in the cryosurgery group experienced complete tumor regression.
  • In the live BCG group and the BCG cell wall group, 6 out of 10 and 7 out of 10 horses respectively showed complete tumor regression. Some horses in these groups also showed partial tumor regression.
  • In the “unfavorable” group, 8 out of 11 horses showed complete tumor regression after treatment with the BCG cell wall vaccine.
  • Horses with larger tumors and tumors located on the limb tended to respond less well to BCG immunotherapy.
  • Horses that showed a positive delayed type hypersensitivity reaction to PPD (a diagnostic test for tuberculosis) before treatment started tended to have a more favorable prognosis.

Conclusions

  • The researchers concluded that while BCG immunotherapy can be effective in treating sarcoid tumors in horses, cryosurgery appeared to be the most effective treatment in their study.
  • They also found that tumor size, location, and the horse’s prior immune response may affect the tumor’s response to BCG immunotherapy.
  • Of significance, none of the horses that were “cured” showed any signs of tumor recurrence up to 40 months after treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Klein WR, Bras GE, Misdorp W, Steerenberg PA, de Jong WH, Tiesjema RH, Kersjes AW, Ruitenberg EJ. (1986). Equine sarcoid: BCG immunotherapy compared to cryosurgery in a prospective randomised clinical trial. Cancer Immunol Immunother, 21(2), 133-140. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00199861

Publication

Cancer immunology, immunotherapy : CII
ISSN: 0340-7004
NlmUniqueID: 8605732
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 2
Pages: 133-140

Researcher Affiliations

Klein, W R
    Bras, G E
      Misdorp, W
        Steerenberg, P A
          de Jong, W H
            Tiesjema, R H
              Kersjes, A W
                Ruitenberg, E J

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Antibodies, Bacterial / biosynthesis
                  • BCG Vaccine / therapeutic use
                  • Cryosurgery
                  • Female
                  • Horse Diseases / therapy
                  • Horses
                  • Immunotherapy
                  • Male
                  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery
                  • Skin Neoplasms / therapy
                  • Skin Neoplasms / veterinary

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                  Citations

                  This article has been cited 12 times.
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