title: Sequential subcutaneous thymopentin, interferon alpha-2a and interleukin-2 in metastatic renal cell cancer.
abstract: To determine the activity of sequential administration of thymopentin (TP-5), interferon alpha-2a (IFN) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) in metastatic renal cell cancer (RCC), 17 patients with RCC were treated with TP-5 50 mg/d on days 1 to 14, IFN 3 MIU/d on days 14, 15, 21, 22 and IL-2 18 MIU/d on days 16 to 20, and 23 to 27. Treatment was given subcutaneously and cycles were repeated every 6 weeks. All patients were assessed for toxicity and response. No objective responses were observed. Two patients had a short-lived disease stabilization. Median survival was 9 months. Toxicity was generally moderate. The most important side-effects were related to IL-2 administration. In view of the lack of antitumor activity, the combination of TP-5 + IFN + IL-2 in the doses and schedule used in this trial cannot be recommended. The investigation of chemotherapeutic and immunological agents that can effectively synergize with IFN or IL-2 is essential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology II, Regina Elena Institute for Cancer Research, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Lauro
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Del Medico
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carpano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cancrini
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gionfra
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vici
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosselli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lopez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016305:Thymopentin / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016305:Thymopentin