Interleukin-2 injected around tumor-draining lymph nodes in head and neck cancer

Twenty patients with recurrent, inoperable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma received perilymphatic injections of natural interleukin-2 (nIL-2) for 10 days. Ten patients received 200 units (U) of nIL-2; five 1,000 U; and five 5,000 U. Irrespective of the location of the recurrence, the injections were always performed 1.5 cm below the insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the mastoid. When the ipsilateral lymphatic chain was still present, they were performed on the same side as the tumor site, whereas when it had been stripped as a result of previous surgery, they were contralateral. Patients who had undergone bilateral neck dissection were injected on the tumor side. Whenever possible, the treatment was repeated after 45-day intervals. In 13 patients (65%) with bilateral or contralateral lymph nodes, complete or partial disappearance of the lesion was observed. Despite these marked responses, the tumor always relapsed, and subsequent IL-2 courses were poorly effective. There were no systemic disturbances during or after treatment, but only moderate local swelling and pain.