Immunologic study of human recombinant interleukin-2 (low-dose) in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.
Immunologic and antitumor effects of human recombinant interleukin-2 was studied in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. Intravenous drip infusion for inpatients or subsequent subcutaneous injection for outpatients at a daily dose of 1 x 10(6) units of interleukin-2 was given over a period varying from twenty-one to two hundred forty days to 13 patients. Natural killer cell activity increased 20 percent or more in 11 of the 13 patients, and lymphokine-activated killer cell activity increased 40 percent or more in 9 of the patients tested. Interleukin-2-receptor positive cells and HLA-DR positive cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes increased in 12 and 11 patients, respectively. Two patients achieved complete response; 1 had a partial response; 6 had no change; and 2 had progressive disease. Two patients were not evaluated because the therapy had been discontinued in less than four weeks. We conclude that low-dose interleukin-2 enhances patients' immunity and has a potential antitumor activity against renal cell carcinoma.
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
K
K
Marumo
J
J
Muraki
M
M
Ueno
M
M
Tachibana
N
N
Deguchi
S
S
Baba
S
S
Jitsukawa
M
M
Hata
H
H
Tazaki
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins