Second line therapy with low-dose subcutaneous interleukin-2 alone in advanced renal cancer patients resistant to interferon-alpha.

Abstract

Interleukin-2 (IL-2), given subcutaneously with interferon-alpha, induces clinical results similar to those achieved with intravenous administration in advanced renal cancer but with lower toxicity. This study was performed to investigate the efficacy of IL-2 subcutaneous therapy alone in advanced renal cancer patients pretreated with interferon-2 alpha. The study included 13 evaluable patients, 6 of whom had visceral metastasis sites. The cycle consisted of IL-2 at 9 x 10(6) IU/m2 twice daily for 2 days, followed by 1.8 x 10(6) IU/m2 every 12 h for 5 days/week for 6 weeks. Clinical responses were: partial response: 4(31%); stable disease: 7(54%), progressive disease: 2(15%). The median duration of response was 9+ months (range 6(+)-12+). Toxicity was low in all patients, and in particular no important cardiovascular side-effect was seen. The results of this study show that IL-2 subcutaneous therapy alone is an effective and well tolerated treatment in advanced renal cancer patients progressed under interferon-alpha therapy.

• Authors: P Lissoni, S Barni, A Ardizzoia, S Crispino, F Paolorossi, C Archili, M Vaghi, G Tancini
• Journal: European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) (Eur J Cancer) Vol. 28 Issue 1 Pg. 92-6 ( 1992) ISSN: 0959-8049 [Print] England
• PMID: 1567700 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD
• Interferon-alpha
• Interleukin-2

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (drug therapy)
• Adult
• Aged
• Antigens, CD (analysis)
• Drug Resistance
• Female
• Humans
• Injections, Subcutaneous
• Interferon-alpha (therapeutic use)
• Interleukin-2 (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Kidney Neoplasms (therapy)
• Leukocyte Count (drug effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Time Factors