Cutaneous side effects associated with interleukin 2 administration for metastatic melanoma.
BACKGROUND
Cutaneous changes associated with recombinant interleukin 2 (r IL-2) administration are frequent but have been rarely studied in a large series.


OBJECTIVE
We analyzed these clinical, microscopic, and immunologic changes.


METHODS
Patients with metastatic melanoma treated with r IL-2 were studied. The eruption was scored as mild or severe. Biopsy specimens were obtained for histopathology, ultrastructural analysis, and immunophenotyping. Chi-square and t tests were used for statistics.


RESULTS
Twenty-five patients were included. Eruptions were observed in 56 of 78 cycles (72%); 53 were mild with a burning pruriginous erythema, and 3 were severe with urticaria, necrotic lesions, and blisters. Regression was constant without sequelae. Pathologic changes were mild with a mononuclear cell infiltrate of activated helper T phenotype, expressing LFA-1. Keratinocytes and endothelial cells displayed intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and HLA-DR. Cells rarely expressed CD25.


CONCLUSIONS
Administration of r IL-2 triggers non-treatment-limiting cutaneous inflammation.
Wolkenstein
P
P
Department of Dermatology, Hôpital Henri Mondor, Créteil, France.
Chosidow
O
O
Wechsler
J
J
Guillaume
J C
JC
Lescs
M C
MC
Brandely
M
M
Avril
M F
MF
Revuz
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins