Treatment of pulmonary metastatic renal-cell carcinoma in 116 patients using inhaled interleukin-2 (IL-2).
BACKGROUND
We report 6 years of experience in 116 patients who used inhaled interleukin-2 (IL-2) and were treated in different protocols with natural, recombinant glycosylated and recombinant nonglycosylated IL-2.


METHODS
All protocols had in common high-dose inhalation of IL-2, either exclusively (11%), with low-dose systemic IL-2 (33%), or with low-dose systemic IL-2 and interferon-alpha (56%). Maximal toxicity per total treatment time (median treatment time, 7.2 months) was mild and at a low incidence (16%) of WHO grade 3 toxicity. Treatment was allowed in patients for whom systemic IL-2 was not suitable.


RESULTS
Progressive pulmonary metastases responded in 15% of patients for a median of 15.5 months (range 4.1-33) and were stabilized in 55% for a median of 6.6 months (range, 3-51.7). Overall response rate was 16%, 49%, and 35%, respectively. Median overall response duration was 9.6 mo. Median achieved survival was 11.8 months (range 1.7-68.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Inhaled IL-2 prevents progress of pulmonary metastases effectively in 70% of patients. Local use of IL-2 allows the use of the full potential of cytokines with little or no toxicity.
Huland
E
E
Department of Urology, University of Hamburg, University Clinic Eppendorf, Germany.
Heinzer
H
H
Huland
H
H
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006031:Glycosylation; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins