Therapy of bovine ocular squamous-cell carcinoma with local doses of interleukin-2: 67% complete regressions after 20 months of follow-up.
We have tested the therapeutic potency of peritumorally injected low doses of interleukin-2 (IL-2). Seventy tumours of the bovine ocular squamous-cell carcinoma (BOSCC), 1-3 cm in diameter, were treated with 5000, 20,000 or 200,000 U IL-2 from Eurocetus (Chiron) to find the optimal dose for treatment. Injections were given peritumorally on Monday to Friday on 2 consecutive weeks. The size of the tumours was measured before treatment and 1, 3, 4, 9 and 20 months after treatment. After 9 months complete regression was observed in 89% of the tumours treated with 5000 U IL-2, 80% treated with 20,000 U and 67% treated with 200,000 U. After 20 months, there was complete regression of 35%, 31% and 67% of the tumours respectively. The 9- and 20-month results of the 200,000-U treatment are significantly better than those of the 5000-U and 20,000-U treatments taken together. This protocol may be useful to treat advanced inoperable tumours (e.g. of the nasopharynx or skin) of human patients.
Den Otter
W
W
Department of Functional Morphology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Hill
F W
FW
Klein
W R
WR
Koten
J W
JW
Steerenberg
P A
PA
De Mulder
P H
PH
Rhode
C
C
Stewart
R
R
Faber
J A
JA
Ruitenberg
E J
EJ
D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D007376:Interleukin-2