Report of a clinical trial in 12 patients with head and neck cancer treated intratumorally and peritumorally with multikine.

BACKGROUND

There is cumulative evidence suggesting that cells of the immune system recognize and may participate in eradicating neoplastic cells. As a result, immune modulation, first with interleukin 2 and later with other cytokines, has been tried in the clinical setting as part of antitumor therapy.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effectiveness and toxicity of a combination of natural interleukins in patients with squamous cell head and neck cancer.

METHODS

Twelve previously untreated patients with various head and neck cancers were treated by peritumoral injection of a combination of cytokines (Multikine), in addition to zinc sulfate, indomethacin, and a single dose of cyclophosphamide, which were administered systemically. Response was evaluated clinically and histopathologically. T-lymphocyte determinants were studied by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis (against controls).

RESULTS

Two patients showed complete regression and another 2 showed partial regression. There were no serious adverse effects of treatment. Pathological study results showed tumor fragmentation and the appearance of multinucleated macrophages. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis showed lymphocyte activation, reflected by an unusually high number of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activation 4 cells and natural killer cells.

CONCLUSION

Multikine warrants further investigation for inclusion in the pharmacotherapeutic armamentarium of head and neck cancer.