Intrathecal immunotherapy in CNS tumors disseminating via CSF: preliminary evaluation using different treatment schedules.
Eight patients affected by central nervous system tumours disseminating via cerebrospinal fluid received rIL-2 immunotherapy according to three different protocols involving intrathecal administration followed or not by systemic infusion. Immunological monitoring included serial evaluation of CSF leukocytes, CSF and peripheral blood CD3-CD56+ cells, and NK activity. The most marked rise in CSF leukocyte levels was induced by daily intrathecal rIL2 administration, which also induced increased PB NK activity. Systemic rIL2 infusion following intrathecal treatment maintained a high percentage of CSF CD3-CD56+ cells, but not CSF leukocytes at high levels. Clinical conditions improved after treatment in two patients, worsened in one and remained substantially unchanged in the remaining five. The side effects of intrathecal rIL2 treatment included fever, confusion, and seizures, and there were marked interindividual variations in the immunological response.
Istituto Nazional Neurologico, C. Besta, Milano, Italy.
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Salmaggi
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Dufour
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Silvani
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Ciusani
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Nespolo
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Boiardi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D016543:Central Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017252:CD3 Complex; D019002:CD56 Antigen; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins