Correlation of serum cytokine and acute phase reactant levels with alterations in weight and serum albumin in patients receiving immunotherapy with recombinant IL-2

45Citations
Citations of this article
22Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Recombinant IL-2 (rIL-2) has been used alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents to enhance host defences against cancer. Prolonged administration of high doses, required for clinical efficacy, may precipitate serious dose-limiting toxicity. rIL-2-induced 'vascular leak syndrome' leads to hypotension, renal insufficiency, respiratory disturbances and other organ dysfunctions. Serial measurements of serum cytokines and the acute phase protein C-reactive protein (CRP) were performed on nine patients who received high-dose i.v. continuous therapy with rIL-2. The influence of these immunological parameters upon alterations in patients' weight and serum albumin, as indicators of toxicity, was assessed. All patients experienced weight increases during the cycle (3-11% of total body weight). The serum levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α) and CRP were highly predictive of alterations in patients' weight (both P <0.001), while no correlation was found with IL-6 and weight change. Serum albumin fell linearly throughout the infusion cycle, but this showed no correlation with variations in serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, or CRP. The complement components C3 and C4 were significantly reduced at the end of the infusion, suggesting a possible role for this cascade system in mediating these clinical changes. The strong association between serum TNF-α and weight change, not previously documented, further supports the hypothesis that TNF-α is a key mediator in the pathogenesis of the 'vascular leak syndrome'.

Author supplied keywords

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Deehan, D. J., Heys, S. D., Simpson, W., Herriot, R., Broom, J., & Eremin, O. (1994). Correlation of serum cytokine and acute phase reactant levels with alterations in weight and serum albumin in patients receiving immunotherapy with recombinant IL-2. Clinical and Experimental Immunology, 95(3), 366–372. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2249.1994.tb07005.x

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free