title: Is still there a role for IL-2 for solid tumors other than melanoma or renal cancer?
abstract: IL-2 is one of the first immunomodulating cytokines to be tested in the treatment of cancer patients. The effects of this agent in the treatment of solid tumors other than renal cancer and melanoma are poorly understood.
  
  
  
  We have carried out a meta-analysis of randomized studies. We fixed the response rate as the primary outcome.
  
  
  
  The pooled risk ratio for an objective response with IL-2 plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone was 1.43 (95% CI: 1.12-1.81; p = 0.004), in favor of colorectal cancer.
  
  
  
  Further investigation in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer or other solid malignancies with IL-2 is required, alone or in combination with chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular & Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy.|Unit of Molecular Therapy & Pharmacogenomics, ASST Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, 26100 Cremona, Italy.
authors.forename: Giandomenico
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roviello
authors.affiliation: Unit of Molecular Therapy & Pharmacogenomics, ASST Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, 26100 Cremona, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zanotti
authors.affiliation: Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University, Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Pierpaolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Correale
authors.affiliation: Unit of Molecular Therapy & Pharmacogenomics, ASST Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, 26100 Cremona, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gobbi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Molecular Oncology Laboratories, The Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital Headley Way, Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wigfield
authors.affiliation: Unit of medical oncology, University of Trieste, Piazza Ospitale 1, 34129 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guglielmi
authors.affiliation: Unit of Radiotherapy, Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University, Viale Bracci 11, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pacifico
authors.affiliation: Unit of Molecular Therapy & Pharmacogenomics, ASST Cremona, Viale Concordia 1, 26100 Cremona, Italy.|Department of Medical, Surgery & Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza Ospitale 1, 34129 Trieste, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Generali
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D004358:Drug Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2
keywords: chemotherapy; interleukin-2; solid tumor