title: Phase I study comparing continuous infusion of recombinant interleukin-2 by subcutaneous or intravenous administration.
abstract: 22 cancer patients entered a randomised phase Ib trial comparing the effects of low-dose recombinant interleukin-2 (300 micrograms/m2, approximately equivalent to 6.4 x 10(6) cetus units or 38 x 10(6) U per day) given continuously by intravenous or subcutaneous infusion. At 48 h after two 5-day courses, median lymphocyte levels (x 10(9)/l) were 6.0 (387% increase) in the subcutaneous arm (n = 9) and 5.9 (369% increase) in the intravenous arm (n = 8). Liver and renal toxicity were similar in the two groups. One minor response lasting 4 months occurred in 12 renal cancer/melanoma patients receiving subcutaneous treatment and one durable complete remission continuing at 30 months and one minor response lasting 10 months occurred in 6 renal cancer/melanoma patients receiving intravenous treatment.
authors.affiliation: Royal London Hospital Medical College, Department of Medical Oncology, Whitechapel, U.K.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Leahy
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pitfield
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Popert
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Oliver
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins