This study was performed in France in the 1990’s. It focused on treating pleural mesothelioma patients with interleukin-2. Interleukin-2 is a type of signaling molecule in the immune system. It regulates the activities of white blood cells that are responsible for the person’s immune system.
In this clinical trial, the interleukin-2 was administered directly into the pleural space so it would be in contact with the tumor. Twenty-two patients were given this treatment. The median survival time was 18 months. For 7 patients, the mesothelioma continued to grow so apparently the treatment had no effect on them.
The researchers concluded that this treatment was “well tolerated.”
Today, this type of treatment is seldom used because of the side effects and lack of effectiveness for the vast majority of patients tested. Other types of immune therapies are being tested such as PD-1 inhibitors like Keytruda.
| Treatment Details |
| Patients: This Phase II study involved 22 patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Treatment: The treatment consisted of the intrapleural administration of interleukin-2. (Interleukin-2 is a cytokine or immune system messenger which encourages the proliferation of CD4 cells.) Toxicity: Grade 3 toxicities included cardiovascular, weight gain, sepsis, and cutaneous. Results: The overall median survival time was 18 months. |
| Survival: | 18.0 months |
| Toxicity Grade: | 3 |
| Treatments: | Immunotherapy |
| Drugs: | Interleukin-2 |
| Country: | France |
| City/State/Province: | Marseille |
| Hospital: | Hopital de la Conception |
| Journal: | Source Link |
| Date: | 11/1998 |
See all conventional treatment results for mesothelioma.