[Repetitive immuno-embolization of inoperative liver metastases of renal cell carcinoma. Method characterization and preliminary results].

Interleukin 2 (IL2)-based immunotherapy is effective in a subgroup of patients with metastatic renal cancer, but cure from liver metastases is very rare and even the selection of patients to be treated is very much limited by the toxicity of IL2. To reduce this toxicity and to augment the efficacy of intrahepatic IL2 application, a protocol of combined rIL2 (3 mg/day) and Lipiodol (2-5 ml/day according to tumour size), via a catheter inserted percutaneously into the hepatic artery, was implemented. As an adverse reaction, moderate fever (WHO) grade I and II was noted. A partial remission was seen in one patient and stable disease in four patients over a period of 2-6 years (median 32.2 month). It seems that immuno-embolisation of otherwise intractable liver metastases of renal cancer is well tolerated and its efficacy may be augmented by optimisation of the therapeutic protocol.