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Recombinant Interleukin‐2
Author(s) -
Bruton Jill K.,
Koeller Jim M.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1002/j.1875-9114.1994.tb04156.x
Subject(s) - interleukin 2 , toxicity , renal cell carcinoma , medicine , lymphokine , recombinant dna , cytotoxicity , immunology , lymphokine activated killer cell , pharmacology , cancer research , cytokine , biology , t cell , interleukin 21 , in vitro , immune system , biochemistry , gene
Recombinant interleukin (IL)‐2 is a newly approved immunoregulatory protein produced by lymphocytes that exhibits a wide range of immunologic effects. It is a true biologic response modifier in that is has no known direct antitumor activity, but mediates its cytotoxicity through activation of effector cells including T cells, natural killer cells, and lymphokine‐activated killer cells. Recombinant IL‐2 has demonstrated activity in patients with renal cell carcinoma and melanoma, with objective response rates of approximately 15–20%. The median duration of response in renal cell carcinoma is 23 months. Toxicity experienced with high‐dose IL‐2 can be significant. The most common dose‐limiting toxicities are hypertension, weight gain, oliguria, respiratory insufficiency, and neurotoxicity. These effects are generally manageable and reversible on discontinuation of therapy. Administration of low‐dose IL‐2 has emerged as a means of substantially reducing toxicity. At least in renal cell carcinoma, it appears that the response rate to low‐dose IL‐2 is comparable to that with higher dosages.