title: Continuous infusion interleukin-2 and intravenous famotidine in metastatic melanoma.
abstract: Lymphokine-activated killer cell (LAK) cytotoxicity against tumor cells is induced by the use of high-dose infusional interleukin-2 (IL-2). LAK cytotoxicity against neoplastic cells may be augmented by famotidine. Twelve (12) patients have been treated with continuous infusion IL-2 (18 MIU/m2/24 hours) for 72 hours and famotidine 20 mg IVPB twice per day. Cycles were repeated every 3 weeks. These patients were of median age--67 years (range, 25-79), had a median performance status of 1 (range, 0-1), and had metastatic sites, including lung, lymph node, subcutaneous/soft tissue, and liver. The most common toxicities of this regimen were fever, rigors, nausea/emesis, hypophosphatemia, and hypomagnesemia. Three (3) partial responses have been seen (25% response rate). One (1) of these responders has undergone complete surgical resection and is disease-free at 15+ months. Four (4) patients are alive at a median of > 25 months. The median survival for all patients is 13 months. This combination of infusional IL-2 with famotidine is active in metastatic melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology/Oncology, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine and Leo Jenkins Cancer Center, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. quanw@ecu.edu
authors.forename: Walter D Y
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Quan
authors.forename: Karen S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Milligan
authors.forename: Francine M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Quan
authors.forename: Rosa E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Cuenca
authors.forename: Nawazish
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Darla K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Liles
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015738:Famotidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D015738:Famotidine