Interleukin-2 and leukemia.
Leukemia has been treated with chemotherapy for the past 40 years with only moderate success. A growing body of evidence suggests that by augmenting the immune system more effective results may be obtained. This is highlighted by T cell reinfusions resulting in durable remissions in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia who have relapsed after an allogeneic transplant. Interleukin-2 is the primary growth factor for T lymphocytes and is a stimulator of natural killer cell activity. It has now been shown that a limited number of otherwise refractory leukemias can be effectively treated with interleukin-2. However, there remains a lack of correlation between the biologic and clinical effects of interleukin-2. The clinical activity of interleukin-2 appears to be greatest in myeloid leukemias. A variety of dose schedules and routes of administration make it difficult to determine if interleukin-2 given to patients in clinical remission is of benefit. Large randomized studies are necessary to explore the role of interleukin-2 in leukemia.
Goodman
M
M
Hematology-Oncology Division of the University of Miami School of Medicine's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, FL 33136, USA.
Cabral
L
L
Cassileth
P
P
D000208:Acute Disease; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007938:Leukemia / Q000628:therapy*; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000628:therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction
D007376:Interleukin-2