title: High-dose intensity pulse interleukin-2 with famotidine in metastatic kidney cancer.
abstract: Lymphokine-activated killer cell (LAK) activity against tumor cell lines may be induced by intravenous (i.v.) interleukin-2 (IL-2). Daily short infusions (pulses) have been developed to decrease toxicity while maintaining the anticancer activity of this agent against kidney cancer. The anthihistamine, famotidine, may increase IL-2 uptake by the IL-2 receptor on lymphocytes. We have treated 12 patients with metastatic kidney cancer, using pulse IL-2 (18 million IU/M(2) i.v.) over 15-30 minutes, preceded by famotidine (20 mg I.V. daily for 5 days) on an oncology inpatient unit. Cycles were repeated every 3 weeks until disease progression. Patient characteristics were as follows: 9 males with a median age of 66 years (range, 48-74), and median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 1; common metastatic sites included in the lungs 9 and lymph nodes 3. Median number of cycles received was 2 (range, 1-5). The most common toxicities were fever, rigors, and hypomagnesemia. Two (2) patients had partial responses (17% response rate). Responses occurred in the liver (11.5 months) and lung, pleura, and lymph nodes (3 months). Pulse IL-2 with famotidine shows activity in kidney cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA. wquan@llu.edu
authors.forename: Walter D Y
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Quan
authors.forename: Francine M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Quan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D055612:Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004347:Drug Interactions; D015738:Famotidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D015738:Famotidine