New antineoplastic therapies and inherent risks: monoclonal antibodies, biologic response modifiers and interleukin-2.

The clinical use of Biological Response Modifiers (BRMs) in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer is rapidly changing the practice of oncology nursing. Recent key scientific advances have allowed production of unique natural agents useful in oncology as well as other diseases. An understanding of basic immunology is essential to the nurse involved in experimental clinical trials using BRMs. Interferons, Interleukins and Monoclonal Antibodies as well as other BRMs, all have biological/immunological interactions that must be understood. Nursing implications, I.V. techniques, and risk management as well as the scope of institutional interactions related to clinical trials with BRMs are described.