title: Endolymphatic delivery of IL2 in patients with melanoma and lymphoma.
abstract: During this phase I/II study, enodolymphatic cannulae were placed in the iliac lymphatics under general anaesthesia. IL2 was then infused via this route at escalating doses until the highest tolerated dose was achieved; then, continuous infusion was maintained for 2 to 3 weeks. Seven patients with advanced cancer (3 lymphoma, 4 melanoma), resistant to all other modalities of treatment received such therapy. Most patients tolerated 4 to 5 x 10(6) u/day of IL2 for 2 to 3 weeks with less toxicity as compared to the equivalent dosage given intravenously. No severe perioperative morbidity was experienced. One melanoma patient had a minor clinical response. Changes in circulating lymphocyte numbers and cytotoxicity demonstrated a systemic effect of endolymphatic IL2 therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The endolymphatic administration of IL2 is associated with less toxicity than the intravenous route but still achieves a systemic effect; a lower tumour burden may prove more responsive to this therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Royal Liverpool Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Galvani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Cawley
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sells
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007272:Injections, Intralymphatic; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D007376:Interleukin-2