Low-dose inhalation of interleukin-2 bio-chemotherapy for the treatment of pulmonary metastases in melanoma patients

Br J Cancer. 2014 Mar 18;110(6):1427-32. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2014.62. Epub 2014 Feb 11.

Abstract

Background: Interleukin-2 (IL-2) treatment for patients with metastatic melanoma has shown remarkable durable responses. Systemic administration of IL-2 may cause severe side effects, whereas local administration is considered to be a safe alternative. The lungs are common sites of metastases in melanoma patients causing considerable respiratory problems. We sought to evaluate the potential antitumoral effect of a low-dose inhalative IL-2 (lh-IL-2) regimen for patients with melanoma lung metastases. In addition, we explored the prophylactic potential of Ih-IL-2 after surgical removal of lung metastases in a study carried out in an outpatient setting.

Methods: Twenty patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage-IV (M1b and M1c) melanoma were enrolled in this study and treated with 3 × 3 million IU inhalative IL-2 q.d. together with monthly dacarbazine bolus injections. Five patients received lh-IL-2 after surgical resection of lung metastases to prevent recurrence of the disease (prophylaxis group, N=5). All other patients were enrolled in the treatment group (N=15). Clinical evaluations were carried out monthly and radiological follow-up was performed every third month.

Results: Nine patients in the treatment group had a clinical benefit with partial regression (27%) or stable disease (33%). Four patients had progression of lung metastases (26.7%) and two patients were not evaluable (13.3%). In the prophylaxis group, none of the patients developed new lung metastases during lh-IL-2 therapy. The median follow-up period was 7.8 months in the treatment group and 25.7 months in the prophylaxis group. In the majority of patients, treatment was well tolerated.

Conclusions: Low-dose IL-2 inhalation might offer an effective and safe treatment option for lung metastases in melanoma patients. In addition, lh-IL-2 may have a prophylactic potential to prevent recurrence in the lungs after pulmonary melanoma metastasectomy. Administration can easily be performed in an outpatient setting, thus offering an attractive treatment option.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 / administration & dosage*
  • Interleukin-2 / adverse effects
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Interleukin-2
  • Recombinant Proteins