[Immunotherapy of tumors using interleukin-2 and lymphokine-activated killer cells]

The tolerance and effectiveness of an interleukin-2 analog (rIL-2) in combination with lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells has been studied. 14 patients with metastatic solid tumors, including 8 renal cell carcinomas, 3 melanomas and 3 extragonadal germ cell tumors refractory to standard therapy, were treated for a 3-week period. rIL-2 was administered as a bolus at 30,000 U/kg every 8 hours on days 1-5 and days 12-19. Leukapheresis was done on days 8-12, and lymphocytes were incubated with rIL-2 for 3-4 days in vitro and reinfused on days 12, 13, and 15. rIL-2 dose and schedule were adjusted according to toxicity. The major side effects were constitutional symptoms and a capillary leak syndrome with hypotension and impaired renal function. Partial responses were documented in 2/8 renal cell carcinomas and 1/3 melanomas. The response durations were 1, 5 and 6 months.