Cytokines in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: is it useful to switch to interleukin-2 or interferon after failure of a first treatment? Groupe Français d'Immunothérape.
OBJECTIVE
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon alfa-2a (IFNalpha2a) have some antitumor activity in metastatic renal cell carcinoma either alone or in combination. To determine whether either of these cytokines might be efficient after failure of the other, we analyzed a series of patients treated with either IL-2 or IFNalpha2a as second-line treatment after failure of the other cytokine.


METHODS
We recently performed a large multicenter study to determine the respective efficacy of IL-2, IFNalpha2a, or combined treatment in renal cell carcinoma. In this study, patients who progressed on the single-arm treatment could receive the other cytokine in a cross-over trial. IL-2 was administered as a continuous intravenous infusion for 5 days (18 x 10(6) IU/m(2)/d), and IFNalpha2a was administered three times weekly at 18 x 10(6) IU.


RESULTS
A total of 113 patients with progressive disease after first-line treatment received either IFNalpha2a (n = 48) or IL-2 (n = 65). Toxicity during second-line treatment was similar to that observed during first-line treatment. Only four partial responses were observed (one with IFNalpha2a and three with IL-2). All partial responders had a performance status of 0 and lung metastases. Moreover, three of these four patients had stable disease or had responded to first-line therapy. Only one patient with confirmed disease progression after receiving IL-2 subsequently responded to IFNalpha2a.


CONCLUSIONS
Cross-over after failure of IL-2 or IFNalpha2a is poorly efficient in metastatic renal cell carcinoma, especially when progression has been clearly documented.
Escudier
B
B
Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France. escudier@igr.fr
Chevreau
C
C
Lasset
C
C
Douillard
J Y
JY
Ravaud
A
A
Fabbro
M
M
Caty
A
A
Rossi
J F
JF
Viens
P
P
Bergerat
J P
JP
Savary
J
J
Négrier
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015996:Survival Rate
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins