title: Continuous intravenous interleukin-2 infusion and subcutaneous interferon-alpha in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
abstract: In a phase II trial patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC) received two induction cycles each consisting of 24-h intravenous infusions of interleukin-2 (IL-2) 18 x 10(6) U/m2/day and interferon (IFN) 3 x 10(6) U/m2/day given subcutaneously on days 1-5 and 8-12 of a 2-week cycle. Between cycles 1 and 2 there was a 3-week treatment-free interval. Maintenance therapy consisted of four monthly cycles of IL-2 and IFN. Due to considerable toxicity the trial was prematurely closed after inclusion of 16 of 23 scheduled patients. Three partial responses were observed. Nine events of severe or life-threatening side-effects occurred and 8 patients were transferred to the intensive care unit. The combination of continuous intravenous high-dose infusions of IL-2 and subcutaneously given IFN is moderately effective, but too toxic for routine treatment of MRCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology and Radiotherapy, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Fosså
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aune
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baggerud
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Granerud
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heilo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Theodorsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000556:secondary / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins