Effects of interleukin-2 for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma

The hematological profile, and clinical parameters in mesothelioma affected patients undergoing a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of IL-2 treatment were investigated. Six patients were monitored for 6 weeks following therapy. Blood cell count, morphological and immunophenotypical analysis were performed, as well as clinical evaluations of the patients before and after therapy. Activation of the immune system (increase in lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and HMS lymphocytes) induced by IL-2 was observed. The treatment was well tolerated: our patients had only mild adverse reactions controlled by symptomatic therapy. Eosinophilia represented the most evident negative effect. A slight decrease in CD4-positive subset of lymphocytes was observed after rIL-2 treatment. The therapy did not induce significant changes in the progression of the disease. In one patient necrosis at the tumoral site was observed after loco-regional rIL-2 administration.