title: [A case of pericarditis carcinomatosa showing good response following local transfer of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells].
abstract: A good therapeutic response following local transfer of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells was obtained in a patient with cardiac tamponade due to breast carcinoma. A 41-year-old female was admitted with complaints of dyspnea and tachycardia. She had undergone left mastectomy at the age of 37 years and had received continuous oral administration of tamoxifen. Chest roentgenogram revealed cardiomegaly (CTR = 65%) and cardiac echogram showed marked retention of pericardial effusion. The cytology of the effusion was class V (adenocarcinoma). Cardiac tamponade proved refractory to combination chemotherapy using adriamycin, cyclophosphamide and 5-fluorouracil, and the effect of paracentesis was only temporary. Autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes were obtained through the cubital vein and cultured in vitro with 2 units/ml of human recombinant IL-2, (TGP-3, Takeda Pharm. Co.). After 4 days of cultivation, LAK cells were transferred intrapericardially 3 times. The cumulative infusion dose was 1.2 X 10(8) cells and the amount of combined IL-2 administration was 100 units/each transfer. Twenty-four days after initial infusion of LAK cells, the effusion disappeared. After then, recurrence has not been observed for 287 days. This case is the first trial of LAK therapy against pericarditis carcinomatosa and seems to be a useful way of treating this uncontrollable state without any serious side effects.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2