[Anatomopathological findings correlated with high-dose recombinant interleukin-2. Review of the literature and description of 2 autopsy cases]

V Canzonieri; S Monfardini; A Carbone

[Anatomopathological findings correlated with high-dose recombinant interleukin-2. Review of the literature and description of 2 autopsy cases]

Pathologica. 1992 Jul-Aug;84(1092):473-81.

[Article in Italian]

Authors

V Canzonieri¹, S Monfardini, A Carbone

Affiliation

¹ Divisioni di Anatomia Patologica e di Oncologia Medica, Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico.

PMID: 1491889

Abstract

After review of the pertinent literature on pathologic findings associated with Interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy for metastatic malignancies (melanomas, renal cell carcinomas), two autoptic cases are described with particular emphasis on the cardiovascular and pulmonary changes. The authors report on the occurrence of massive transmural acute myocardial infarct in a patient with metastatic cutaneous melanoma, treated with recombinant IL-2, who did not show atherosclerotic lesions of the coronary arteries. Conversely, myocardial lesions were not found in the other patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, treated with recombinant IL-2; he had severe generalized atherosclerosis and died of pulmonary causes. It is suggested that myocardial direct toxic effects of IL-2 associated with capillary leak syndrome may determine a myocardial infarct. It is concluded that IL-2 therapy is not contra-indicated in oncologic patients with atherosclerosis of the coronaries if they are carefully monitored.

Publication types

Case Reports
Review

MeSH terms

Acute Disease
Arteriosclerosis / complications
Bronchopneumonia / complications
Carcinoma, Renal Cell / complications
Carcinoma, Renal Cell / pathology
Carcinoma, Renal Cell / therapy*
Contraindications
Humans
Immunologic Factors / administration & dosage
Immunologic Factors / adverse effects*
Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use
Interleukin-2 / administration & dosage
Interleukin-2 / adverse effects*
Interleukin-2 / therapeutic use
Kidney Neoplasms / complications
Kidney Neoplasms / pathology
Kidney Neoplasms / therapy*
Melanoma / complications
Melanoma / pathology
Melanoma / therapy*
Myocardial Infarction / chemically induced
Myocardial Infarction / pathology*
Pulmonary Edema / etiology
Pulmonary Edema / pathology*
Recombinant Fusion Proteins / administration & dosage
Recombinant Fusion Proteins / adverse effects
Recombinant Fusion Proteins / therapeutic use
Skin Neoplasms / complications
Skin Neoplasms / pathology
Skin Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

Immunologic Factors
Interleukin-2
Recombinant Fusion Proteins