Impact of immunotherapy with pseudomonas serotip xv etanolic extract (Cantastim) on local recurrence and survival at 3 and 5 years in operated rectal cancer

Abstract

Although most recurrences (approximately 80%) occur in the first three years after a curative resection, a recurrence of CRC can occur even ten years after the initial curative resection (dormant spread of cancer cells). Immunotherapy is an emerging therapy with high potential. The immune system plays a major role in the development of CRC. This has led to innovative new therapies, such as cancer vaccines and T-cell stimulation therapies. Cantastim belongs to the class of nonspecific immunostimulators or immunomodulators, most of which are of bacterial origin and are used as mono- or polymicrobial suspensions. Cantastim is an ethanolic extract obtained from a pathogenic strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype XV. The beneficial effect of immunotherapy with Cantastim was more pronounced for the local developmental stages (I and II) than for the later stages.

Keywords

• rectal cancer
• cantastim
• local recurrence
• immunotherapy