Local intratumor immunotherapy of prostate cancer with interleukin-2 reduces tumor growth.
BACKGROUND
This study was designed to determine the effectiveness and toxicity of local continuous immunotherapy for prostatic cancer.


METHODS
60 juvenile male Copenhagen rats with Dunning adenocarcinoma of the prostate, implanted subcutaneously into both flanks after proven tumor growth, were treated with either human interleukin-2 (IL-2) depot preparations (n = 30) or albumin (placebo) depot preparations (n = 30) implanted directly next to tumor site. IL-2 depots released IL-2 reliably for more than 24 days. Rat serum was tested during treatment for human IL-2, possibly absorbed from depots, and for rat interferon gamma.


RESULTS
IL-2 treatment reduced tumor growth significantly (p < 0.001) compared with albumin treated sites or untreated contralateral sites. No toxicity was observed during treatment. That neither human IL-2 nor rat interferon gamma was detected in serum indicates an exclusively local IL-2 effect.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-2 depot preparations reduce tumor growth in Dunning adenocarcinoma of the prostate significantly without toxicity.
Hautmann
S H
SH
Department of Urology, University Hospital of Hamburg, Germany.
Huland
E
E
Huland
H
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000628:therapy*; D000818:Animals; D010478:Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion; D004343:Drug Implants; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D051381:Rats
D004343:Drug Implants; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007371:Interferon-gamma