Abstract | BACKGROUND: Treatment with the immune system modulator interleukin 2 (IL-2) can result in a number of immunologic abnormalities ranging from suppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity responses and neutrophil activity to autoimmune thyroiditis and hypersensitivity reactions against iodine-containing radiographic contrast media. There are a number of published reports of chemoimmunotherapy using IL-2 in combination with various chemotherapeutic agents to treat patients with certain cancers, but none have described hypersensitivity responses to the chemotherapeutic agents given. PURPOSE: In the early stages of an ongoing clinical trial of the efficacy of combination chemoimmunotherapy for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma, we discovered that a number of the patients experienced unexpected hypersensitivity reactions after receiving chemotherapy. We therefore decided to examine these hypersensitivity reactions in detail. METHODS: During the period of March 1993 through February 1994, 31 patients with metastatic melanoma were treated either by chemotherapy ( dacarbazine, cisplatin, and tamoxifen) or by chemoimmunotherapy (the same drug regimen plus interferon alfa and high-dose IL-2). Twelve patients were treated in a non-randomized pilot study, with six receiving chemotherapy and six receiving chemoimmunotherapy. The six patients who received chemotherapy also received carmustine ( BCNU). Nineteen subsequent patients were treated in a prospective, randomized study to compare the two therapeutic approaches. In total, 15 of the 31 patients were treated by chemotherapy alone, and 16 were treated by combination chemoimmunotherapy. Overall, the patients in the two groups were balanced in terms of age, sex, and stage of disease. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | G R Heywood, S A Rosenberg, J S Weber |
Journal | Journal of the National Cancer Institute
(J Natl Cancer Inst)
Vol. 87
Issue 12
Pg. 915-22
(Jun 21 1995)
ISSN: 0027-8874 [Print] United States |
PMID | 7666481
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Interferon-alpha
- Interleukin-2
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Topics |
- Adult
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
(adverse effects)
- Blood Pressure
(drug effects)
- Drug Hypersensitivity
(etiology, physiopathology)
- Edema
(chemically induced)
- Female
- Humans
- Interferon-alpha
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Interleukin-2
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Male
- Melanoma
(drug therapy, secondary)
- Middle Aged
- Skin
(drug effects)
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