title: Maintenance immunotherapy in recurrent ovarian cancer: long term follow-up of a phase II study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a mediator of tumor-associated immunodeficiency, plays a key role in angiogenesis and is a prognostic factor in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC). Previously, we showed that low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) and 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA) improved the tumor-associated immunodeficiency and decreased VEGF in patients with AOC. Here, we report long term follow-up of a group of patients with platinum-sensitive AOC who were treated with IL-2 and RA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five patients with AOC who had a clinical benefit from second line chemotherapy and elevated serum levels of VEGF were entered into the study from 04/98 to 04/05. Therapy consisted of low-dose subcutaneous IL-2 and oral RA, administered on intermittent schedules for up to 5 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant improvement in lymphocyte and NK counts and a decrease in VEGF levels were observed with respect to baseline values among the 65 evaluable patients. Five-year progression-free survival and overall survival rate were 29% and 38%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data show that patients treated with low-dose IL-2 and RA have a statistically significant improvement in their lymphocyte and NK counts, a decrease in VEGF, and seem to have an improved clinical outcome.
authors.affiliation: Ospedale Civile di Avezzano, Unità operativa di Oncologia, Italy. frecchia1946@libero.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Recchia
authors.forename: Ferdinando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Orio
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Candeloro
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guerriero
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piazze
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rea
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D043823:Taxoids; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000077143:Docetaxel; D016190:Carboplatin; D015474:Isotretinoin; D017239:Paclitaxel