Interleukin-2 in combination with interferon-alpha in disseminated malignant melanoma and advanced renal cell carcinoma. A phase I/II study.
In vitro, the combination of interleukin-2 (Il-2) with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) seems to act synergistically on the generation of lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells. Due to this fact two clinical trials with the combination of Il-2 and IFN-alpha were initiated in malignant melanoma (MM) and renal cell cancer (RCC). Patients with disseminated MM were treated by a sequential application of 10 x 10(6) U/m2 rIFN-alpha 2b s.c. on days 1-7 followed by continuous intravenous infusion of 3 x 10(6) U/m2 rIl-2 on days 8-13 and 15-20. After a pause of 4 weeks the cycle was repeated. In advanced or disseminated RCC, the patients were treated with a daily alternating scheme of 10 x 10(6) U/m2 rIFN-alpha and rIl-2 as 1 h infusion 1 x /day for 14 days. The rIl-2 escalates intra- and interindividually beginning with a dose of 3 x 10(6) U/m2. The cycles were repeated after a pause of 3 and 4 weeks, respectively. The preliminary results show that the schedules are practicable and that the toxicity of the combination of rIl-2 and IFN-alpha does not accumulate. Within the MM group 3/11 evaluable patients achieved partial remission and 2/11 stable disease. In the RCC-group 2/5 evaluable patients achieved partial remission and 2/5 had stable disease so far.
Bergmann
L
L
Abteilung für Hämatologie, J.W. Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt/M.
Weidmann
E
E
Mitrou
P S
PS
Runne
U
U
Keilholz
U
U
Bartsch
H H
HH
Franks
C R
CR
D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D015979:Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / Q000187:drug effects; D008545:Melanoma / Q000628:therapy*; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects*
D007370:Interferon Type I; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins