title: Temporary regression of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is achieved with a low but not with a high dose of recombinant interleukin 2 injected perilymphatically.
abstract: The efficacy of ten daily injections of 500 or 500,000 U of recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2) day-1 given 1.5 cm from the insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the mastoid was evaluated in 31 patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. No toxic effects were noted. One complete response (CR) and three partial responses (PRs) were observed in the 16 patients who received 500 U of IL-2, whereas the higher dose was not effective. The CR was recorded in one of the seven patients with a oropharyngeal recurrence. Partial responses were obtained in 1/5 patients with hypopharyngeal recurrences, in 1/5 patients with oral cavity recurrences and 1/7 patients with laryngeal recurrences. The duration of the responses was 3-5 months and additional courses of ten injections of IL-2 had no further effect.
authors.affiliation: II Clinica Otorinolaringoiatrica, Università di Torino, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cortesina
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Stefani
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Galeazzi
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Cavallo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Badellino
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Margarino
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jemma
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Forni
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins