We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
A Biological Study on the Efficacy of Low-Dose Subcutaneous lnterleukin-2 plus Melatonin in the Treatment of Cancer-Related Thrombocytopenia.
- Authors
Lissoni, Paolo; Barni, Sandro; Brivio, Fernando; Rossini, Fausto; Fumagalli, Luca; Ardizzoia, Antonio; Tancini, Gabriele
- Abstract
The production of cytokines involved in platelet generation, including inter-leukin (IL)-3, IL-6 and IL-11, is stimulated by IL-2. However, the platelet number has been shown to decrease on IL-2 cancer therapy, and this side effect depends on the enhanced peripheral platelet destruction following the activation of the macrophage system by IL-2 itself. Our previous studies showed that IL-2-induced macrophage activation may be counteracted by the pineal hormone melatonin (MLT). On this basis, a pilot study with IL-2 plus MLT was performed to evaluate its influence on the platelet number in cancer patients with persistent thrombocytopenia. The study included 20 advanced solid tumor patients, who received IL-2 at 3 million IU/day s.c. for 6 days/ week for 4 weeks in association with MLT (40 mg/day orally). A normalization of the platelet number was achieved in 14/20 (70%) patients. This pilot study shows that the therapy with low-dose IL-2 plus MLT, in addition to its previously described antitumor activity, may also be effective in the treatment of cancer-related thrombocytopenia. Copyright © 1995 S. Karger AG, Basel
- Publication
Oncology, 1995, Vol 52, Issue 5, p360
- ISSN
0030-2414
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1159/000227489