title: Stop-flow thoracic perfusion for unresectable pulmonary carcinoma with or without inhalation IL-2 immunotherapy. A prospective randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pulmonary carcinoma, metastatic or primary, remains a challenging disease with a poor and dismal prognosis. This prospective randomized study compares the results of stop-flow thoracic perfusion and systemic chemotherapy with or without the addition of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) inhalation immunotherapy with respect to overall survival and quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 1996 to January 1999 stop-flow thoracic perfusion using two balloon-tipped catheters was carried out in combination with maintenance system chemotherapy, with (Group B) or without (Group A) inhalation IL-2 immunotherapy in 67 patients suffering from histologically diagnosed unresectable lung carcinoma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean survival for Group A patients was 12 months (M +/- SD: 12 +/- 8.82) while in Group B patients it was 19 months (M +/- SD: 19 +/- 8.47).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stop-flow thoracic perfusion in combination with systemic maintenance chemotherapy and IL-2 inhalation immunotherapy prolongs survival and ensures a good quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Athens Medical Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Greece.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Lygidakis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Safioleas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sgourakis
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aphinives
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002404:Catheterization; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2