title: Evaluation of the safety of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and rIL-2 plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the adjuvant treatment of gastric cancer patients.
abstract: Eight patients received either recombinant Interleukin-2 (rIL-2) alone or rIL-2 plus 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) by constant infusion after undergoing potentially curative surgery for gastric cancer. rIL-2, given at a dose of 18 x 10(6) IU/m2/24 hours, was safely tolerated and only two episodes of WHO grade 3 toxicities occurred, both of which promptly responded to treatment and temporary interruptions of rIL-2 infusions. 5-FU infusions given at 12.5 mg/kg/24 hours did not alter the rebound lymphocytosis seen after completion of rIL-2 infusions. We conclude that the administration of rIL-2 and rIL-2 plus 5-FU to cancer patients recovering from major surgery is safe and well tolerated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, General Hospital, Leicester, U.K.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ubhi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hollingworth
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Horsburgh
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Veitch
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roest
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Franks
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005472:Fluorouracil