Possible myocardial toxicity associated with interleukin-4 therapy

Interleukin (IL)-4 is a cytokine produced by T lymphocytes, which may play a role in allergic inflammatory processes through its stimulatory effects on immunoglobulin E production and mast cells. In this report, we describe a patient with metastatic melanoma involving the heart who had biopsy-proven...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of immunotherapy with emphasis on tumor immunology Vol. 14; no. 4; p. 348
Main Authors Trehu, E G, Isner, J M, Mier, J W, Karp, D D, Atkins, M B
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.11.1993
Subjects
Aged
Electrocardiography
Female
Humans
Interleukin-4 - adverse effects
Male
Melanoma - therapy
Middle Aged
Myocarditis - chemically induced
Myocarditis - pathology
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Summary:Interleukin (IL)-4 is a cytokine produced by T lymphocytes, which may play a role in allergic inflammatory processes through its stimulatory effects on immunoglobulin E production and mast cells. In this report, we describe a patient with metastatic melanoma involving the heart who had biopsy-proven myocarditis after treatment with high-dose IL-4. Because of the uncharacteristic predominance of polymorphonuclear and mast cells in the inflammatory infiltrate of this patient's myocardium, we postulate a unique mechanism of IL-4-associated myocarditis. Three other patients treated with IL-4 had less well-defined cardiac abnormalities, suggesting that patients receiving IL-4 may be at risk for cardiac toxicity. Additional studies will be necessary to confirm such an association.
ISSN:1067-5582
DOI:10.1097/00002371-199311000-00015