title: Intra-lymphatic administration of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in cancer patients: a pilot study.
abstract: Seven patients suffering from advanced metastatic tumours, unresponsive to standard therapies, were treated with 3 to 5 intra-lymphatic injections of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-2-activated-peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). A partial (50-70%) regression was obtained in three of the patients, and complete regression in the other four. It thus seems that intra-lymphatic injections of IL-2 and PBL can be used for the treatment of certain solid tumours (e.g., hypernephroma, adenocarcinoma, seminoma, epidermoid carcinoma) without noticeable side effects. This method could advantageously replace intravenous IL-2 administration and warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Ospedale Malpighi, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pizza
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Viza
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Vinci
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vich i Pascuchi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Busutti
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bergami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007272:Injections, Intralymphatic; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D017710:Lymphocyte Transfusion; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2