Adoptive immunotherapy of malignant diseases with IL-2-activated lymphocytes.

Lymphokine activated killer cells (LAK cells) or interleukin 2 (IL-2)-activated killer cells were induced by recombinant IL-2 (TGP-3) for clinical adoptive immunotherapy of malignant diseases. After incubation of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) with IL-2 and normal human plasma for 1-2 weeks LAK cells were obtained that showed a maximum cytotoxicity against target cells, and did not need a toxic dose of IL-2 to enhance or maintain their cytotoxicity. Both autologous and allogeneic LAK cells were used in five clinical cases without any immune side effects, and were effective in three cases.