Possible correlation between some biologic effects and the clinical course in patients treated with continuous infusion of interleukin-2 plus alpha-2 interferon for metastatic renal cell carcinoma

• Published in: Tumori Vol. 80; no. 5; p. 348
• Main Authors: Baiocchi, C, Landonio, G, Balzarini, G, Cacioppo, C, Calgaro, M, Ferrari, M, Gottardi, O, Majno, M, Scanzi, F, Ghislandi, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 31.10.1994
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antibodies, Antinuclear - blood; Antibodies, Neoplasm - blood; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use; Autoantibodies - blood; Blood Platelets - immunology; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - blood; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - drug therapy; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - immunology; Carcinoma, Renal Cell - secondary; Erythrocytes - immunology; Female; Humans; Interferon-alpha - administration & dosage; Interleukin-2 - administration & dosage; Kidney Neoplasms - blood; Kidney Neoplasms - drug therapy; Kidney Neoplasms - immunology; Kidney Neoplasms - pathology; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocyte Subsets; Male; Middle Aged; Thyroid Gland - immunology
• ISSN: 0300-8916
• DOI: 10.1177/030089169408000507

Interleukin-2 therapy is known to cause many biologic effects, which are enhanced by the administration of interferon prior to or immediately after interleukin-2 infusion. Some of these effects could be related to the clinical response. Sixteen patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma were treated with continuous infusion of interleukin-2 plus alpha-2 interferon. Differential leukocyte count and lymphocyte subset evaluation were performed every 3 days during interleukin-2 treatment. At each cycle, the presence of the following antibodies was tested: antithyroid, antinuclear, antiplatelet and antierythrocyte. Fifteen patients were evaluable for response. No complete response was observed. Five patients obtained partial response (33%) and 3 stable disease (20%): 2 of them underwent surgical resection of metastases and obtained complete response. Some of our patients showed a significant increase in eosinophils, CD25+ lymphocytes and antithyroid antibodies. The association of these parameters, calculated with a "score" system, was also related to a better clinical response. Eosinophils, CD25+ lymphocytes and antithyroid antibodies could have a predictive value for the efficacy of interleukin-2 and alpha-2 interferon therapy in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.