title: Intra-lesional interleukin-2 for the treatment of in-transit melanoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the role of intra-lesional interleukin-2 (IL-2) injection for treatment of in-transit melanoma metastases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients with in-transit metastases were treated with intra-lesional IL-2 injections. Two independent observers evaluated response to treatment using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. A blinded pathologist confirmed clinical response with post-treatment biopsies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-nine patients were included. Patients received biweekly IL-2 injections. At each treatment session, a mean of 2.08 ml (5 µ/ml) of IL-2 were distributed amongst a mean of 12 (range 1-57) in-transit lesions. Patients were followed for an average of 30.4 months (range 2.2-66.6 months). The overall patient response rate was 82%. A complete response was obtained in 20 patients (51%), a partial response in 12 (31%), and no response in seven (18%). Of the 629 in-transit metastases, 479 (76%) completely resolved. Complete responders had a significant in transit-free (P = 0.0005) and an overall (P = 0.012) survival advantage compared with partial responders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The treatment of in-transit metastatic melanoma with intra-lesional IL-2 resulted in a 76% percent clearance of lesions. Complete response is associated with superior in transit-free and overall survival when compared with partial response.
authors: Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario Residency Program, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Kirsty U
authors: KU
authors: Boyd
authors: Bret M
authors: BM
authors: Wehrli
authors: Claire L F
authors: CL
authors: Temple
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007376:Interleukin-2