Immunotherapy in Patients with Less than Complete Response to Chemotherapy

Background: Patients with metastatic solid tumors (MST) with less than a complete response to chemotherapy (L-CR), a depressed immune system and elevated serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) lack defined treatment options. The primary endpoint evaluated in this study was whether interleuk...

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Published inAnticancer research Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 567 - 572
Main Authors RECCHIA, Francesco, CANDELORO, Giampiero, NECOZIONE, Stefano, BISEGNA, Roberta, BRATTA, Massimo, REA, Silvio
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Attiki International Institute of Anticancer Research 01.02.2009
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Summary:Background: Patients with metastatic solid tumors (MST) with less than a complete response to chemotherapy (L-CR), a depressed immune system and elevated serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) lack defined treatment options. The primary endpoint evaluated in this study was whether interleukin-2 (IL-2) and 13-cisretinoic acid (RA) treatment reduced VEGF and improved immune function in such patients. Secondary endpoints were objective response, relapse-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS). Patients and Methods: One hundred consecutive MST patients with L-CR and a mean serum VEGF of 421.0 pg/mm 3 were enrolled. Patients self-administered subcutaneous IL-2 1.8×10 6 IU/day, and oral RA 0.5 mg/kg/day × 5 days/week for 2 cycles of 3 weeks/month for 1 year and continued until progression. Results: After a median follow-up of 78 months, a statistically significant VEGF decrease and improvements in lymphocyte, NK, and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio were observed. Twenty-four patients were converted to a CR; their 5-year RFS and OS rates were each 96% . No WHO grade 3 or 4 toxicities were observed. Conclusion: Administration of IL-2/RA to this patient population produced a significant decrease in VEGF, improvement of prognostically relevant immunological parameters, and durable response in 25% of patients.
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ISSN:0250-7005
1791-7530