Treatment of endometriosis with transvaginal ultrasound-guided drainage and recombinant interleukin-2 left in the cysts: a third clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
To analyze the therapeutic results of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2) left in the cysts after transvaginal ultrasound (US)-guided drainage of endometriomas as an alternative to surgery.


METHODS
Prospective and randomized clinical trial. A total of 25 consecutive patients were included. Two transvaginal US-guided punctures were performed, and 3 million IU of rIL-2 were left in the aspirated cysts once (group I) or both (group II) times according to randomization.


METHODS
Clinical results, prevented surgeries, and recurrences.


RESULTS
Results were moderate or good in only 16% of subjects at 3 months and in 33% of subjects at 6 months after treatment in group I; these numbers were 66 and 33%, respectively, in group II. Differences were not statistically significant. However, the evolution of symptoms, endometriomas, and CA-125 revealed the low efficacy of rIL-2 left intracyst as well as a poor control of the clinical manifestations. After 1 year, 20% (group I) and 73% (group II) of patients had to be operated; after 2 years, these numbers were 55 and 82%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of endometriomas with transvaginal US-guided drainage and rIL-2 left in the cysts, without using endometrial suppressive therapy with GnRH analogues as done in previous studies, has low efficacy. Recurrences are even more frequent after the use of two rIL-2 doses.
Acién
Pedro
P
Service of Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Juan University Hospital, Department/Division of Gynecology, School of Medicine, Miguel Hernandez University, Campus of San Juan, Alicante, Spain. acien@umh.es
Velasco
Irene
I
Acién
Maribel
M
Quereda
Francisco
F
D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D055815:Young Adult
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011994:Recombinant Proteins