Metastatic cancer was treated with interleukin 2 and lymphokine-activated killer cells with the addition of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor ibuprofen in an attempt to reduce side effects in 13 patients (eight male and five female). Twenty-six patients treated with only interleukin 2 and lymphokine-activated killer cells formed the control group. After interleukin 2 administration, a significantly increased number of lymphokine-activated killer cells were transfused in ibuprofen-treated patients. Cytotoxic effects were not significantly different in the treated and untreated groups. With regard to cell phenotype, both groups of patients manifested significant activation of the immune system as measured by T10 and OK1a. Symptom scores were dramatically reduced in patients treated with ibuprofen. Temperature above 37 degrees C were rare. Ibuprofen did not significantly alter rate of response in this immunotherapy trial (38% vs 42%). Ibuprofen is now routinely used in all of our current immunotherapy trials.