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Pre-operative immunoprophylaxis with interleukin-2 may improve prognosis in radical surgery for colorectal cancer stage B-C.
- Source :
-
Anticancer research [Anticancer Res] 2006 Jan-Feb; Vol. 26 (1B), pp. 599-603. - Publication Year :
- 2006
-
Abstract
- Cancer-associated immunodeficiency is seriously worsened by surgical trauma. Short-term pre-operative interleukin-2 (IL-2) administration abolished post-operative immunodeficiency. The effects of a pre-operative IL-2 immunotherapy on the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients (Dukes' stages B and C), undergoing radical surgery, are reported. The study included, after post-operative stratification, 86 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer Dukes' stage B (57) and C (29), undergoing radical laparotomic surgery, randomised to be treated pre-operatively, with or without a short-term course of subcutaneous (s.c.) IL-2 immunotherapy. Human recombinant IL-2 was given s.c. at 6x10(6) I.U. twice daily pre-operatively for 3 consecutive days. Surgery was performed 36 hours after the last IL-2 injection. Dukes' C patients of both groups received standard adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of 5-FU plus folates and radiotherapy for rectal cancer patients. After a median follow-up of 54 months (range 18-86), the progression rate was significantly lower in patients pre-treated with IL-2 than in controls: 9/42 (21.4%) IL-2 group vs. 19/44 (43.1%) controls, (p <0.03). The positive effect of immunotherapy was detected both in the Dukes' B group, with 5/29 (17%) progression in the IL-2 group vs. 9/28 (32%) in controls, and Dukes' C patients with 4/13 (30%) vs. 10/16 (62%). This study shows that a 3-day pre-operative course of IL-2 immunotherapy may improve prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer at Dukes' stages B and C, as previously demonstrated in patients with more advanced disease. Therefore, the early activation of the antineoplastic immune system in the first post-operative days following a presurgical activation with IL-2 may counteract the growth of minimal residual disease and prevent late disease progression.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Colorectal Neoplasms immunology
Colorectal Neoplasms pathology
Combined Modality Therapy
Female
Humans
Injections, Subcutaneous
Interleukin-2 adverse effects
Lymphocytes drug effects
Lymphocytes immunology
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasm Staging
Preoperative Care
Colorectal Neoplasms surgery
Colorectal Neoplasms therapy
Immunotherapy methods
Interleukin-2 therapeutic use
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0250-7005
- Volume :
- 26
- Issue :
- 1B
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Anticancer research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 16739327