A phase II trial of interleukin-2 in myelodysplastic syndromes.
Patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) show a decrease in the number and function of natural killer (NK) cells, including lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cell activity. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) stimulates the proliferation and activity of these lymphocytes. Anecdotal clinical experience has shown haematological and cytogenetic improvement in myelodysplasia by low-dose IL-2 treatment. A total of 10 patients with MDS were treated with 1 million units of IL-2 subcutaneously daily for 12 weeks. Even though improvement in CD16+/CD56+ cell numbers was seen in a majority of the patients, the haematological status and transfusion requirements remained unchanged. There was minimal toxicity from this therapy.
Nand
S
S
Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA.
Stock
W
W
Stiff
P
P
Sosman
J
J
Martone
B
B
Radvany
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000473:pathology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000628:therapy*; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000032:analysis
D019002:CD56 Antigen; D007376:Interleukin-2; D017452:Receptors, IgG