Therapeutic Applications of Interleukin-2

Covering everything from basic science to disease-specific clinical trials, current applications and future directions, this book discusses the novel biological response modifier interleukin-2. This immunoactive therapy is designed for use in the treatment of metastatic renal cancer and, possibly, melanoma and other malignancies. Examining the value and toxic manifestations of different treatment regimens, this text: describes the biochemistry of the IL-2 receptor, the activation of natural killer cells and the lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cell phenomenon; explicates tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes and the effect of IL-2 on in vitro assays of immune function; emphasizes high-dose IL-2 therapy in renal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma; reviews in detail IL-2 treatment of other solid tumours and haematologic malignancies; illustrates the use of lower dose regimens, regional administration and combinations of IL-2 with other therapies; elucidates toxicities associated with IL-2, their pathogenesis and clinical management; and highlights future developments, including gene therapy and the co-administration of cytokine antagonists to reduce toxicity.