title: Intrapleural administration of recombinant interleukin-2 in non-small cell lung cancer with neoplastic pleural effusion.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of intrapleural administration of recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) for treatment of malignant pleural effusions. From May 1993 to May 1995, 21 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and cytologically documented malignant pleural effusion entered the study. After complete needle drainage of the effusion, a dose of 9 x 10(6) international units (IU) rhIL-2 was injected intracavitarily. The drug was injected on the first and second day each week for 3 weeks, in relation to the presence of effusion. Complete response (according to the criteria reported by Paladine st al.) was achieved in 7 of the 21 patients (33%), and partial response in 6 of the 21 patients (29%), with a median duration of 8 months (range 4-10 months). The treatment was well tolerated by all patients. Intracavitary administration of low-dose recombinant human interleukin-2 in malignant pleural effusion due to non-small cell lung cancer is an effective and well tolerated therapeutic strategy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pneumology, Azienda Ospedaliera di Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Masotti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fumagalli
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Morandini
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins