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New Approaches to the Immunotherapy of Cancer Using Interleukin-2
- STEVEN A. ROSENBERG, M.D., Ph.D.;
- MICHAEL T. LOTZE, M.D.; and
- JAMES J. MULÉ, Ph.D.
Abstract
Experimental studies in animals have shown that therapy with high-dose interleukin-2 either alone or in combination with lymphokine-activated killer cells can reduce established pulmonary and hepatic metastases. Based on these experiments, recent clinical trials have shown that therapy with high-dose interleukin-2 alone or in combination with lymphokine-activated killer cells can mediate the regression of established metastatic disease in selected patients with advanced malignancy. Of 221 patients with advanced cancer treated with this immunotherapy, 16 have had a complete regression of all metastatic cancer, and an additional 26 have had a partial regression (greater than 50% reduction) of cancer. Toxicity from treatment was primarily due to increased capillary permeability, which led to fluid extravasation and organ dysfunction. Based on these findings, new approaches are being explored, including the use of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and combinations of lymphokines. These studies show that the regression of established growing cancer can be mediated by manipulating the immune system.
- adenocarcinoma
- capillary permeability
- colonic neoplasms
- immunotherapy
- interleukin-2
- kidney neoplasms
- killer cells
- liver neoplasms
- lung neoplasms
- lymphokines
- lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's
- melanoma
- neoplasm metastasis
- rectal neoplasms
- sarcoma
- fluid extravasation
- organ dysfunction
- tumor infiltrating lymphocytes
- adenocarcinoma
- capillary permeability
- colonic neoplasms
- immunotherapy
- interleukin-2
- kidney neoplasms
- killer cells
- liver neoplasms
- lung neoplasms
- lymphokines
- lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's
- melanoma
- neoplasm metastasis
- rectal neoplasms
- sarcoma
- fluid extravasation
- organ dysfunction
- tumor infiltrating lymphocytes
Article and Author Information
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▸An edited summary of a Combined Clinical Staff Conference held 18 February 1987 at the Amphitheater, Building 10, Bethesda, Maryland, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services.
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▸Data concerning patient responses to therapy as well as toxicity of treatment have been updated since this conference to include patient information accrued as of 1 July 1987.
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▸Authors who wish to cite a section of the conference and specifically indicate its author can use this example for the form of reference:
LOTZE MT. Biology and clinical application of interleukin-2, pp 854-856. In: ROSENBERG SA, moderator. New approaches to the immunotherapy of cancer. Ann Intern Med. 1988;108:853-864.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Wendy Schubert; Clinical Center Communication, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 1C255; Bethesda, MD 20892.
