title: Non-melanoma and non-renal cell carcinoma malignancies treated with interleukin-2.
abstract: Some positive results have been observed after interleukin-2 treatment, especially in melanoma, and pulmonary metastasis of renal carcinoma. The aim of the following article is to analyze the response to interleukin-2 in patients with non-melanoma and non-renal cells malignancies. The response was studied with reference to the interleukin-2 dose, the way of application, the kind of tumor and the other treatments. A database search was performed to trace studies describing interleukin-2 tumor treatment in non-melanoma and non-renal cells malignancies, published between 1.1.1999 and 30.01.2001. We found 38 communications for the use of interleukin-2 in a total of 1030 patients. The literature review suggests that the optimal way of application of interleukin-2 in metastatic colorectal carcinoma is the local use in a low dose, with intervals between applications, for 4-6 months, after some pretreatment. In unresectable pancreatic head carcinoma a total response was 85% with twice prolonged survival. In malignant mesothelioma--stable disease was achieved in 56% with potential advantages of local application. In hematological malignancies interleukin-2 treatment was followed by remission or increase in immune defense depending on the histological type. In breast cancer interleukin-2 induced immunologically functional graft. Metastatic pulmonary carcinoma has a favorable prognosis concerning response and survival. The maintenance treatment with low doses of interleukin-2 in responders to previous chemotherapy is promising. Better results are observed with lower dose, cyclic application and combining chemotherapy. Cycles with longer duration (4-6 months) have a better effect also for patients with response to former treatment.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Gastroenterology, University Hospital St Ivan Rilsky Bulgaria, 15 Acad. I. Geshov bld., 1437 Sofia, Bulgaria. zahkrastev@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Krastev
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Koltchakov
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tomov
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Koten
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D010997:Pleural Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2