Section Review: Biologicals & Immunologicals: Immunotherapy with interleukin-2: Recent developments

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Abstract
New strategies in the treatment of malignant disease and benign conditions associated with immunosuppression have focused on the use of biological response modifiers and, in particular, recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2). In patients wih cancer, rIL-2 therapy, either alone or in combination with other biological response modifiers or chemotherapy, has resulted in promising therapeutic responses in certain advanced cancers. Recent studies have shown that it is now possible to predict which patients will gain most benefit from rIL-2 therapy. rIL-2 may also be used to stimulate host defence mechanisms in the peri-operative period in patients with cancer who are undergoing active curative therapy. The use of ril-2 in the treatment of benign disease associated with abnormalities in immune function is also being evaluated. Promising results in the treatment of patients with leprosy and AIDS have been reported. However, further basic research and carefully controlled clinical trials are urgently required to understand the mechanisms involved in these diseases.

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