title: IL-2/LAK cell treatment for advanced cancers with emphasis on a novel administration.
abstract: Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a substance produced by activated blood cells called helper T-lymphocytes and has been shown to stimulate the body's immune system. IL-2 may cause certain tumors to regress when administered intravenously to laboratory animals and humans. Lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells are white blood cells that have been stimulated with IL-2 in vitro. LAK cells are capable of killing tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo, especially when given along with IL-2. Although this form of treatment has been found to be effective in patients with certain cancers who no longer benefit from standard forms of therapy, the anti-cancer effects of IL-2/LAK cell treatment are limited by the serious, life-threatening side effects of high-dose intravenous administration, and by the high cost. A treatment program with low-dose, intralymphatically-administered LAK/IL-2 in patients with advanced cancer is a promising alternative which circumvents these major problems and concerns, while maintaining high response rates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, West Virginia University Medical Center, Morgantown.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Auber
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: DeHaven
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Raich
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Crowell
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mahin
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Sosnowski
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Lamm
mesh_terms: D016913:Blood Component Transfusion; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007272:Injections, Intralymphatic; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015979:Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / Q000637:transplantation*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007376:Interleukin-2