[Adoptive immunotherapy with interleukin 2 in oncology]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunotherapy
• Biomedical Research

Background:

• Immunotherapy utilizing Interleukin-2 (IL2) is being explored for various cancers.
• The efficacy and toxicity of IL2, alone or in combination with other agents, require further investigation, particularly in different patient populations and treatment contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of Interleukin-2 (IL2) based immunotherapy in patients with renal carcinoma and neuroblastoma.
• To assess the influence of combination therapies and prior treatments on IL2's immunomodulatory effects and clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 47 renal carcinoma patients receiving IL2 with or without LAK cells, INF alpha, or TNF.
• Analysis of 19 neuroblastoma patients treated with IL2 alone or with LAK cells, considering prior high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT).

Main Results:

• Renal carcinoma patients showed a 26% response rate with mild toxicity and 2% mortality.
• Neuroblastoma patients with end-stage disease experienced higher morbidity/mortality, while those treated post-ABMT had mild, transient toxicity.
• One complete response in a neuroblastoma patient treated with IL2 post-ABMT.

Conclusions:

• IL2 immunotherapy demonstrates a moderate response rate in renal carcinoma with acceptable toxicity.
• The immunomodulatory effects and clinical outcomes of IL2 are significantly influenced by combination therapies, patient's immunological status, and prior treatment history, especially in neuroblastoma.
• IL2 can be beneficial in specific contexts, such as post-ABMT, but careful patient selection and treatment sequencing are crucial.