BACKGROUND: Intra-lesional interleukin 2 (IL-2) therapy trials for the treatment of in-transit melanoma using different treatment protocols have been published reporting varied results. This study assesses the results of IL-2 therapy in our institution and to evaluate the reproducibility of our response rates when using the same treatment protocol as another Canadian centre. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of patients with in-transit melanoma who were treated with intralesional IL-2 in a single institution from 2010 to 2016. Responses were evaluated using RECIST criteria. Demographic data, tumour characteristics, follow-up data, in-transit-free interval, and survival data were collected and analysed. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were identified. Overall tumour response rate was 72%, including complete response in 23 patients (47%) and partial response in 12 patients (24%). Stable disease was observed in 4% of patients and progressive disease in 25%. The main side effects were minor discomfort with injections and auto-limited flu-like symptoms. The presence of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes may be a predictor of better response. CONCLUSION: This study confirms prior experience with intra-lesional IL-2, demonstrating it to be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated therapy for in-transit melanoma. Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes as a predictor of better response warrant further study.
BACKGROUND: Intra-lesional interleukin 2 (IL-2) therapy trials for the treatment of in-transit melanoma using different treatment protocols have been published reporting varied results. This study assesses the results of IL-2 therapy in our institution and to evaluate the reproducibility of our response rates when using the same treatment protocol as another Canadian centre. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of patients with in-transit melanoma who were treated with intralesional IL-2 in a single institution from 2010 to 2016. Responses were evaluated using RECIST criteria. Demographic data, tumour characteristics, follow-up data, in-transit-free interval, and survival data were collected and analysed. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were identified. Overall tumour response rate was 72%, including complete response in 23 patients (47%) and partial response in 12 patients (24%). Stable disease was observed in 4% of patients and progressive disease in 25%. The main side effects were minor discomfort with injections and auto-limited flu-like symptoms. The presence of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes may be a predictor of better response. CONCLUSION: This study confirms prior experience with intra-lesional IL-2, demonstrating it to be an effective, safe, and well-tolerated therapy for in-transit melanoma. Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes as a predictor of better response warrant further study.
Authors: Saima Hassan; Teresa M Petrella; Tong Zhang; Suzanne Kamel-Reid; Francesco Nordio; Andrea Baccarelli; Shachar Sade; Karen Naert; Ayman Al Habeeb; Danny Ghazarian; Frances C Wright Journal: Ann Surg Oncol Date: 2014-11-01 Impact factor: 5.344
Authors: W H Clark; D E Elder; D Guerry; L E Braitman; B J Trock; D Schultz; M Synnestvedt; A C Halpern Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 1989-12-20 Impact factor: 13.506
Authors: Jedd D Wolchok; Axel Hoos; Steven O'Day; Jeffrey S Weber; Omid Hamid; Celeste Lebbé; Michele Maio; Michael Binder; Oliver Bohnsack; Geoffrey Nichol; Rachel Humphrey; F Stephen Hodi Journal: Clin Cancer Res Date: 2009-11-24 Impact factor: 12.531
Authors: E A Eisenhauer; P Therasse; J Bogaerts; L H Schwartz; D Sargent; R Ford; J Dancey; S Arbuck; S Gwyther; M Mooney; L Rubinstein; L Shankar; L Dodd; R Kaplan; D Lacombe; J Verweij Journal: Eur J Cancer Date: 2009-01 Impact factor: 9.162
Authors: P Radny; U M Caroli; J Bauer; T Paul; C Schlegel; T K Eigentler; B Weide; M Schwarz; C Garbe Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2003-11-03 Impact factor: 7.640