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Stop-flow thoracic perfusion for unresectable pulmonary carcinoma with or without inhalation IL-2 immunotherapy. A
N J Lygidakis1, M Safioleas, G Sgourakis
1Athens Medical Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Greece.
Background/Aims:
Pulmonary carcinoma, metastatic or primary, remains a challenging disease with a poor and dismal prognosis. This prospective randomized study compares the results of stop-flow thoracic perfusion and systemic chemotherapy with or without the addition of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) inhalation immunotherapy with respect to overall survival and quality of life.
Methodology:
From January 1996 to January 1999 stop-flow thoracic perfusion using two balloon-tipped catheters was carried out in combination with maintenance system chemotherapy, with (Group B) or without (Group A) inhalation IL-2 immunotherapy in 67 patients suffering from histologically diagnosed unresectable lung carcinoma.
Results:
The mean survival for Group A patients was 12 months (M +/- SD: 12 +/- 8.82) while in Group B patients it was 19 months (M +/- SD: 19 +/- 8.47).
Conclusions:
Stop-flow thoracic perfusion in combination with systemic maintenance chemotherapy and IL-2 inhalation immunotherapy prolongs survival and ensures a good quality of life.