title: Recombinant interleukin-2.
abstract: Recombinant interleukin (IL)-2 is a newly approved immunoregulatory protein produced by lymphocytes that exhibits a wide range of immunologic effects. It is a true biologic response modifier in that is has no known direct antitumor activity, but mediates its cytotoxicity through activation of effector cells including T cells, natural killer cells, and lymphokine-activated killer cells. Recombinant IL-2 has demonstrated activity in patients with renal cell carcinoma and melanoma, with objective response rates of approximately 15-20%. The median duration of response in renal cell carcinoma is 23 months. Toxicity experienced with high-dose IL-2 can be significant. The most common dose-limiting toxicities are hypertension, weight gain, oliguria, respiratory insufficiency, and neurotoxicity. These effects are generally manageable and reversible on discontinuation of therapy. Administration of low-dose IL-2 has emerged as a means of substantially reducing toxicity. At least in renal cell carcinoma, it appears that the response rate to low-dose IL-2 is comparable to that with higher dosages.
authors.affiliation: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Bruton
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Koeller
mesh_terms: D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000628:therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015979:Killer Cells, Lymphokine-Activated / Q000276:immunology; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000628:therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins