Skip to main content
Log in

The lymphatic route. VIII. Distribution and plasma clearance of recombinant human interleukin-2 after SC administration with albumin in patients

  • Research Articles
  • Published:
Biotherapy

Abstract

It has been postulated that favouring the absorption of interleukin-2 via lymphatics rather than venous capillaries after subcutaneous adminstration may improve its therapeutic index. We have now evaluated in 12 cancer patients the plasma pharmacokinetic of interleukin-2 either dissolved in water or in 20% albumin solution with an internal cross-over after at least three days. Our data show that when albumin is present, the plasma concentrations of interleukin-2 versus time is increased and swelling at the injection sites is reduced. It remains to be seen whether efficacy improves during a prolonged treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

AUC:

Area Under Plasma Curve

BRM:

Biological Response Modifiers

IFN:

Interferon

IL-2:

Interleukin-2

IV:

Intravenous

SC:

Subcutaneous

MU:

Megaunit

References

  1. Rosenberg SA, Lotze MT, Muul LM, Chang AE, Avis FP, Leitman S, Linehan WM, Robertson CN, Lee RE, Rubin JT, Seipp CA, Simpson CG, White DE. A progress report on the treatment of 157 patients with advanced cancer using lymphokine-activated killer cells and interleukin-2 or high-dose interleukin-2 alone. New Engl J Med 1987; 316: 889–97.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. West WH, Tauer KW, Yannelli JR, Marshall GD, Orr DW, Thurman GB, Oldham RK. Constant-infusion recombinant interleukin-2 in adoptive immunotherapy of advanced cancer. New Engl J Med 1987; 316: 898–905.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Sarna GP, Figlin RA, Pertcheck M, Altrock B, Kradjian SA. Systemic administration of recombinant methionyl human interleukin-2 (Ala 125) to cancer patients: clinical results. J Biol Resp Modif 1989; 8: 16–24.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Thompson JA, Lee DJ, Cox WW, Lindgren CG, Collins C, Neraas KA, Dennin RA, Fefer A. Recombinant interleukin 2 toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and immunomodulatory effects in a phase I trial. Cancer Res 1987; 47: 4202–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Whitehead RP, Ward D, Hemingway L, Hemstreet GP III, Bradley E, Konrad M. Subcutaneous recombinant interleukin-2 in a dose escalating regimen in patients with metastatic renal cell adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res 1990; 50: 6708–15.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Atzpodien J, Körfer A, Franks CR, Poliwoda H, Kirchner H. Home therapy with recombinant interleukin-2 and interferon-α2b in advanced human malignancies. Lancet 1990; 335: 1509–12.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Stein RC, Malkovska V, Morgan S, Galazka A, Aniszewski C, Roy SE, Shearer RJ, Marsden RA, Bevan D, Gordon-Smith EC, Coombes RC. The clinical effects of prolonged treatment of patients with advanced cancer with low-dose subcutaneous interleukin-2. Brit J Cancer 1991; 63: 275–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bocci V. Distribution, catabolism and pharmacokinetics of interferons. In: Finter NB, Oldham RK, eds. Interferon, Vol. 4:in vivo and clinical studies. Elsevier Science Publishers BV, 1985: 47–72.

  9. Bocci V, Pessina GP, Paulesu L, Nicoletti C. The lymphatic route. VI. Distribution of recombinant interferon-α2 in rabbit and pig plasma and lymph. J Biol Resp Modif 1988; 7: 390–400.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Bocci V, Pessina GP, Nicoletti C, Paulesu L. The lymphatic route. VII. Distribution of recombinant human interleukin-2 in rabbit plasma and lymph. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents 1990; 4: 25–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Berman M, Weiss MF. SAAM 27. Bethesda, Maryland: National Institute of Health, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Bocci V. Metabolism of protein anticancer agents. Pharm Ther 1987; 34: 1–49.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bocci V. Evaluation of routes of administration of interferon in cancer: a review and a proposal. Cancer Drug Del 1984; 1: 337–51.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Oldham RK. Biological response modifiers program. J Biol Resp Modif 1982; 1: 81–100.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Donohue JH, Rosenberg SA. The fate of interleukin-2 afterin vivo adminstration. J Immunol 1983; 130: 2203–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Bocci V. Interleukins. Clinical pharmacokinetics and practical implications. Clin Pharmacokinet 1991; 21: 274–84.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Sulis E, Floris C, Massidda C. Intralymphatic infusion of interferon in patients with lymph nodal metastases from melanoma of the lower limbs. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 1989; 24: 393–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Shau H, Isacescu V, Ibayashi Y, Tokuda Y, Golub SH, Fahey JL, Sarna GP. A pilot study of intralymphtic interleukin-2. I. Cytotoxic and surface marker changes of peripheral blood lymphocytes. J Biol Resp Modif 1990; 9: 71–80.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bocci, V., Carraro, F., Zeuli, M. et al. The lymphatic route. VIII. Distribution and plasma clearance of recombinant human interleukin-2 after SC administration with albumin in patients. Biotherapy 6, 73–77 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01877388

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01877388

Key words

Navigation