Continuous infusion interleukin-2 and intravenous famotidine in metastatic melanoma

Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 2006 Dec;21(6):607-12. doi: 10.1089/cbr.2006.21.607.

Abstract

Lymphokine-activated killer cell (LAK) cytotoxicity against tumor cells is induced by the use of high-dose infusional interleukin-2 (IL-2). LAK cytotoxicity against neoplastic cells may be augmented by famotidine. Twelve (12) patients have been treated with continuous infusion IL-2 (18 MIU/m2/24 hours) for 72 hours and famotidine 20 mg IVPB twice per day. Cycles were repeated every 3 weeks. These patients were of median age--67 years (range, 25-79), had a median performance status of 1 (range, 0-1), and had metastatic sites, including lung, lymph node, subcutaneous/soft tissue, and liver. The most common toxicities of this regimen were fever, rigors, nausea/emesis, hypophosphatemia, and hypomagnesemia. Three (3) partial responses have been seen (25% response rate). One (1) of these responders has undergone complete surgical resection and is disease-free at 15+ months. Four (4) patients are alive at a median of > 25 months. The median survival for all patients is 13 months. This combination of infusional IL-2 with famotidine is active in metastatic melanoma.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Famotidine / administration & dosage
  • Famotidine / adverse effects
  • Famotidine / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Interleukin-2 / administration & dosage*
  • Interleukin-2 / adverse effects
  • Interleukin-2 / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / drug therapy

Substances

  • Interleukin-2
  • Famotidine