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[Infectious complications during treatments with interleukin-2]
J F Morère1, C Darras, C Boaziz
1Service d'Oncologie médicale, Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny.
Presse Medicale (Paris, France : 1983)
|March 13, 1993
Summary
Interleukin 2 (IL 2) cancer therapy can lead to serious staphylococcal infections due to skin toxicity and reduced neutrophil function. Prophylactic antibiotics are recommended during IL 2 intravenous treatment to prevent these complications.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Context:
- Interleukin 2 (IL 2) is an immunotherapy used in cancer treatment.
- Continuous infusion via implantable ports is a common administration method.
- Patients with various cancers received IL 2 therapy between 1989 and 1991.
Purpose:
- To report the incidence and characteristics of infections in patients treated with IL 2.
- To identify potential risk factors and causative pathogens.
- To recommend preventive strategies for IL 2-associated infections.
Summary:
- Ten out of 97 patients developed infections, primarily staphylococcal (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis).
- Infections included local site infections, phlebitis, septicemia, and bacteremia.
- Causative pathogens were often isolated from both the infusion site and bloodstream.
- Infections occurred a mean of 3 months after treatment initiation, with a mean IL 2 dose of 456 million IU.
- Skin toxicity and depressed neutrophil chemotaxis were identified as contributing factors.
Impact:
- The study highlights an 8% incidence of staphylococcal infections associated with IL 2 therapy.
- Effective treatment involved antibiotics and catheter removal, with no lethal complications.
- Findings support the need for prophylactic antibiotics during IL 2 intravenous therapy to mitigate infection risk.