Brivio F, Lissoni P, Barni S, Tancini G, Ardizzoia A, Erba L, Alderi G, Nociti V
Second Division of Surgery, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Milano, Italy.
Eur J Surg. 1993 Jan;159(1):43-7.
A phase 2 study to evaluate the effects of a short preoperative course of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on the postoperative course of patients with cancer.
Open study.
San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
16 Consecutive patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer, with or without metastases.
IL-2 in a dose of 9 x 10(6) IU/m2 twice daily for three days; patients were operated on within 36 hours of the cessation of IL-2 treatment.
Morbidity, mortality, and changes in numbers of lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and CD25 (cluster of determination) positive cells.
There was no morbidity or mortality--in particular, there were no infections even in the patients who were at highest risk. The mean numbers of lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, NK cells, and CD25 positive cells increased significantly during the postoperative period. All patients showed evidence of infiltration of lymphocytes or eosinophils (or both) into the tumour tissue.
The results suggest that a three day course of IL-2 preoperatively is well tolerated, stimulates would repair, neutralizes the lymphocytopenia induced by major operation, and induces immune cells to infiltrate the tumour. Randomised studies are needed to confirm these results.
