Interleukins for Melanoma
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Melanoma Treatment: Interleukins
Interleukins, which activate lymphocytes (white blood cells) to do their work, are yet another form of biotherapy we use at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). Interleukin is a generic name for a hormone-like substance that can be produced both by certain blood cells and in a lab. Interleukins stimulate the growth of blood cells that are essential to your immune system. They play a particularly important role in regulating inflammatory and immune responses.
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been found to be effective in some people with melanoma either administered alone, or with your own lymphocytes that have been treated with IL-2 outside your body.
IL-2 is an essential factor for T cell growth. In addition, IL-2 enhances various T-cell functions and natural killer (NK) cell function. It also activates lymphokine-activate killer (LAK) cells, which are a type of killer T cells produced when lymphocytes are incubated with IL-2. LAK cells destroy tumor cells and improve immune function recovery in certain immunodeficiency cases.
Side effects of IL-2 may include:
- Hypotension
- Ascites
- Generalized body edema (swelling)
- Pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs)
- Chills and fever
- Headache, malaise and other flu-like symptoms
- Gastrointestinal effects include nausea, vomiting
- Loss of appetite, diarrhea and mucositis
- The effect of IL-2 on the kidneys is generally mild, but renal failure can result if severe hypotension occurs
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