A biological study on the efficacy of low-dose subcutaneous interleukin-2 plus melatonin in the treatment of cancer-related thrombocytopenia.
The production of cytokines involved in platelet generation, including interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6 and IL-11, is stimulated by IL-2. However, the platelet number has been shown to decrease on IL-2 cancer therapy, and this side effect depends on the enhanced peripheral platelet destruction following the activation of the macrophage system by IL-2 itself. Our previous studies showed that IL-2-induced macrophage activation may be counteracted by the pineal hormone melatonin (MLT). On this basis, a pilot study with IL-2 plus MLT was performed to evaluate its influence on the platelet number in cancer patients with persistent thrombocytopenia. The study included 20 advanced solid tumor patients, who received IL-2 at 3 million IU/day s.c. for 6 days/week for 4 weeks in association with MLT (40 mg/day orally). A normalization of the platelet number was achieved in 14/20 (70%) patients. This pilot study shows that the therapy with low-dose IL-2 plus MLT, in addition to its previously described antitumor activity, may also be effective in the treatment of cancer-related thrombocytopenia.
Lissoni
P
P
Division of Radiation Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
Barni
S
S
Brivio
F
F
Rossini
F
F
Fumagalli
L
L
Ardizzoia
A
A
Tancini
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007376:Interleukin-2; D008550:Melatonin