Interleukin-2-induced thyroid dysfunction is correlated with treatment duration but not with tumor response.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the putative relationship between immunotherapy-associated dysthyroidism and the probability of a tumor response.


METHODS
A total of 89 consecutive patients with advanced cancer were treated with interleukin-2 (IL2)-based immunotherapy in a prospective study.


RESULTS
Twenty patients developed thyroid dysfunction. Repeatedly positive tests for thyroid antibodies developed in 28% of the patients. Twenty-two patients achieved a response. There was no relationship between the formation of antibodies and the probability of response. There appeared to be a trend toward a relationship between thyroid dysfunction and response (P = .23). A strong relationship was found between response on the one hand and cumulative dose of IL2 (P = .01) and treatment duration with IL2 (P = .025) on the other. The frequency of thyroid dysfunction was also significantly correlated with treatment duration (P = .001). After adjustment for cumulative dose of IL2 and treatment duration, no relationship between thyroid dysfunction and response remained (P = .99).


CONCLUSIONS
There is no relationship between thyroid dysfunction and the probability of tumor response. Thyroid dysfunction is merely a function of treatment duration and cumulative dose of IL2.
Kruit
W H
WH
Department of Medical Oncology, Rotterdam Cancer Institute Daniel den Hoed Kliniek, The Netherlands.
Bolhuis
R L
RL
Goey
S H
SH
Jansen
R L
RL
Eggermont
A M
AM
Batchelor
D
D
Schmitz
P I
PI
Stoter
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007455:Iodine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013954:Thyroglobulin / Q000276:immunology; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood
D000906:Antibodies; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D013972:Thyrotropin; D013954:Thyroglobulin; D007455:Iodine; D013974:Thyroxine