The importance of added albumin during continuous intravenous infusion of interleukin-2 with alpha-interferon

Eur J Cancer. 1991;27(12):1633-4. doi: 10.1016/0277-5379(91)90432-d.

Abstract

We treated 14 patients (4 malignant melanoma/10 renal carcinoma) with a combination of continuous infusion interleukin-2 (IL-2) and subcutaneous alpha-interferon. Variable concentrations of albumin were added to the infusion of IL-2. The toxicity of this regimen seems to be related to the percentage of albumin added to the IL-2 infusion. Partial responses were observed in 3 cases. Interestingly, 1 patient's response appeared dependent on the addition of human serum albumin. The mechanism of these effects is unknown, but the use of albumin with IL-2 should be carefully investigated in future studies.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Interferon-alpha / administration & dosage*
  • Interleukin-2 / administration & dosage
  • Kidney Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Melanoma / drug therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Serum Albumin / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Interferon-alpha
  • Interleukin-2
  • Serum Albumin