title: Thrombopoietic effects and toxicity of interleukin-6 in patients with ovarian cancer before and after chemotherapy: a multicentric placebo-controlled, randomized phase Ib study.
abstract: Recombinant human interleukin-6 (IL-6) has previously been shown to increase platelet counts in normal and sublethally irradiated mice, dogs, and primates. To assess its tolerance and efficacy in clinical use, we performed a randomized phase Ib study in patients with ovarian carcinoma. IL-6 was administered during an initial 7-day cycle before any chemotherapy. Beginning 7 days later, six cycles of chemotherapy containing carboplatin were administered every 3 weeks. During chemotherapy cycles 2 to 6, IL-6 was administered from day 4 through day 17 at escalating dose levels from 0.5 to 10 micrograms/kg/d. At each level, three patients received IL-6 and one patient received a placebo. During the prechemotherapy cycle of IL-6, a dose-dependent increase in platelet count was observed from day 12 to 15 and was maximal on day 15 (r = .77; P < .01). The median ploidy of bone marrow megakaryocytes shifted from 16 N to 32 N after 7 days of the initial prechemotherapy IL-6 administration. Dose-dependent increases in C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen levels were observed on day 8 (P < .0001 for both). A significant decrease in hemoglobin level occured rapidly after initiation of IL-6 therapy and was maximal on day 8 (P < .001). When given after chemotherapy, IL-6 accelerated platelet recovery after chemotherapy cycles 2 to 6. Postponements of scheduled chemotherapy due to thrombocytopenia were less frequent in patients treated with IL-6. No difference in either neutrophils or peripheral blood progenitor assays was observed during or after IL-6 treatment. Toxicity of IL-6 appeared mild and was not dose-limiting up to 10 micrograms/kg/d. Systemic symptoms such as fever, headache, and myalgia were the main side effects and were easily relieved by acetaminophen administration. No biologic toxicity was observed. The data indicate that IL-6 is a well-tolerated cytokine and capable of accelerating platelet recovery in patients receiving chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: D'Hondt
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Humblet
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Guillaume
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baatout
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chatelain
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berlière
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Longueville
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Feyens
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Greve
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Oosterom
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008533:Megakaryocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D011003:Ploidies; D011292:Premedication; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012449:Safety; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D016190:Carboplatin