[Clinical experience with the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma with subcutaneous interleukin-2r (IL-2r) and interferon Alpha-2b (IFN Alfa-2b)].

This work presents our recent clinic experience in the treatment of advanced RCC with IL-2 in association to alpha IFN given subcutaneously. Fifteen patient with histologically confirmed advanced RCC and measurable lesions were entered in the study. Patients were treated in cycles of 7 weeks at a IL-2 dose of 4.8 million IU/m2 (induction phase)-2.4 million IU/m2 (maintenance phase) every 12h five days a week and alpha IFN: 6 million IU/m2 every 24h three days a week, and were afterwards evaluated for response. Responders with localized residual bulk underwent rescue surgery. Seven patient has objective response (3 complete, 2 partial and 2 stable responses). The complete responses were stable and lasted 36 m, 14 m and 8 m, and global survival was of 14.6 m (3-36 m). All patients had toxicity at various degrees but WHO grade II was not exceeded at any time. The association of IL-2 and alpha IFN 2b given subcutaneously, appears to have antitumoral activity against advanced RCC with durable responses and in a proportion similar to other associations in intravenous administration, but with lower systemic toxicity. Surgical resection of residual bulk can be beneficial in selected patient with partial response.