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Review
. 2015 May-Jun;6(3):212-21.
Epub 2015 May 1.

The Toxicity and Benefit of Various Dosing Strategies for Interleukin-2 in Metastatic Melanoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma

Laura A Pachella  1 , Lydia T Madsen  1 , Joyce E Dains  1
Affiliations
Review

The Toxicity and Benefit of Various Dosing Strategies for Interleukin-2 in Metastatic Melanoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma

Laura A Pachella et al. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2015 May-Jun.

Abstract

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy has been used with success in curing meta-static renal cell carcinoma and melanoma in a small minority of patients. However, the benefits can be accompanied by severe toxicity. This review of the literature discusses varying doses of IL-2 and their associated re-sponse rates and the toxicities associated with treatment. The review also explores the maximally beneficial dose with the most tolerable side effects. Although the higher-dose regimens with a more frequent dosing schedule produce higher-grade toxicity, they were found to deliver the most durable and complete responses. It is recommended to use a higher-dose regimen (720,000 IU/kg every 8 hours for a maximum of 15 doses) and provide sup-portive care for toxicity, so patients can have maximal benefit from therapy.

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Figures

Table 1
Table 1
Clinical Trial Comparison of Toxicity and Benefit With Interleukin-2 in Melanoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma
Table 1b
Table 1b
Clinical Trial Comparison of Toxicity and Benefit With Interleukin-2 in Melanoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma (cont.)
Table 2
Table 2
Common Toxicities Associated With Interleukin-2
Table 3
Table 3
Possible Clinical Presentations of Capillary Leak Syndrome
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