In vitro activation of lymphocytes by interleukin 2 in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Interleukin-2-stimulated lymphocytes or lymphokine-activated killer cells (LAK) have been shown to have anti-tumor activity which is not present in the fresh untreated peripheral blood lymphocytes. This activity has been evaluated in our laboratory using renal cell carcinoma as a target tumor. Two of 8 patients demonstrated significant lysis of autologous tumor while an additional 3 patients lysed the target cells but to a less significant degree. It is not clear why the LAK phenomenon against autologous tumors occurs in vitro in some patients and not others. By identifying the response of patients in vitro, one might be able to select an appropriate population for meaningful clinical trials.