title: Therapy of cancer using the adoptive transfer of activated killer cells and interleukin-2.
abstract: A new approach to cancer treatment has been developed based on the adoptive transfer of activated lymphocytes into cancer patients. Lymphocytes harvested from patients by leukapheresis are converted into lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells by incubation with recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2). These LAK cells are then infused back into the patients in combination with intravenous IL-2. Among 25 patients treated with this form of adoptive immunotherapy there were 11 patients with measurable tumor reductions, including 1 complete responder. The majority of responses occurred in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, melanoma and colorectal carcinoma. The toxicities of IL-2, including fluid retention and pulmonary edema, limit therapy, and laboratory investigation is now aimed toward understanding the mechanism of IL-2 toxicity. The use of LAK cells and IL-2 in cancer therapy is still in a developmental stage and needs to be refined before its role can be definitely established.
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000139:chemically induced; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins