title: Combination immunotherapy for cancer: synergistic antitumor interactions of interleukin-2, alfa interferon, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.
abstract: Attempts have been made to design optimal strategies for the immunotherapy of established tumors. In mice bearing pulmonary metastases from sarcomas, a substantial therapeutic synergy was seen when both interleukin-2 (IL-2) and alfa interferon (alpha-IFN) were administered compared with the effect of either agent given alone. This synergy was dependent on Lyt-2+ T cells, since therapeutic effects were abrogated in Lyt-2-depleted mice. The alpha-IFN and IL-2 combination was also synergistic with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in mediating the reduction of established lung metastases. These experiments demonstrate that combination immunotherapy can result in substantial reduction of established metastatic deposits and provide a rationale for the application of this treatment to patients with advanced cancer.
authors.affiliation: Surgery Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Spiess
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012513:Sarcoma, Experimental / Q000628:therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D007376:Interleukin-2