Second line therapy with low-dose subcutaneous interleukin-2 alone in advanced renal cancer patients resistant to interferon-alpha.
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.
Lissoni
P
P
Division of Radiation Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Barni
S
S
Ardizzoia
A
A
Crispino
S
S
Paolorossi
F
F
Archili
C
C
Vaghi
M
M
Tancini
G
G
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D015703:Antigens, CD; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007376:Interleukin-2