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IL-2-based immunotherapy after autologous transplantation for lymphoma and breast cancer induces immune activation and cytokine release: a phase I/II trial.

Abstract
We determined the safety, immune activating effects, and potential efficacy of i.v. infusion of ex vivo interleukin-2 (IL-2) activated natural killer (NK) cells (part I) or IL-2 boluses (part II) during daily s.c. IL-2 administration following hematopoietic recovery from autologous transplantation. In all, 57 patients with relapsed lymphoma (n=29) or metastatic breast cancer (n=28) were enrolled. In part I of the study, 34 patients were enrolled at three dose levels of ex vivo IL-2-activated NK cells. Lymphaphereses were performed on days 28 and 42 of s.c. IL-2 administration. Following overnight ex vivo IL-2 activation of the pheresis product, the cells were reinfused the following day. In part II, 23 patients were enrolled at three dose levels of supplemental i.v. IL-2 bolus infusions, given on days 28 and 35 during s.c. IL-2 administration. Toxicities were generally mild, and no patient required hospitalization. Lytic function was markedly enhanced for fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) obtained 1 day postinfusion of either IL-2-activated cells or IL-2 boluses. IL-2 boluses transiently increased the levels of IL-6, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL1-beta, with increases in IL-6 and IFN-gamma being dose dependent. A total of 37 patients (19 patients with lymphoma, 18 with breast cancer) treated with an optimum dose of post-transplant immunotherapy (defined as having received 1.75 x 10(6) IU/m(2)/day of s.c. IL-2 plus at least one of the planned ex vivo IL-2-activated cell infusions/IL-2 boluses) could be matched with controls from the Autologous Blood and Marrow Transplant Registry database. The matched-pairs analysis demonstrated no improvement in disease outcomes of survival and relapse. We conclude that IL-2-activated cells/IL-2 boluses can be safely administered, generate PBMNCs with enhanced cytotoxicity against NK-resistant targets, and increase cytokine levels. With this dose and schedule of administration of IL-2, no improvement in patient disease outcomes was noted. Alternative strategies will be needed to exploit the immunotherapeutic potential of IL-2-activated NK cells.
AuthorsL J Burns, D J Weisdorf, T E DeFor, D H Vesole, T L Repka, B R Blazar, S R Burger, A Panoskaltsis-Mortari, C A Keever-Taylor, M-J Zhang, J S Miller
JournalBone marrow transplantation (Bone Marrow Transplant) Vol. 32 Issue 2 Pg. 177-86 (Jul 2003) ISSN: 0268-3369 [Print] England
PMID12838283 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase I, Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
Chemical References
  • Cytokines
  • Interleukin-2
Topics
  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms (therapy)
  • Cytokines (blood, drug effects)
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular (drug effects)
  • Immunotherapy (methods)
  • Interleukin-2 (therapeutic use, toxicity)
  • Killer Cells, Natural (transplantation)
  • Lymphocyte Transfusion
  • Lymphoma (therapy)
  • Male
  • Matched-Pair Analysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Transplantation, Autologous

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