[Wilson-Jones type angiosarcoma with marked response to intrapleural administration of interleukin-2]

Nihon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi. 1995 Dec;33(12):1441-5.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A 64-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a hemothorax after one year of therapy for angiosarcoma that had arisen from the skin of the head. The hemothorax was believed to have resulted from metastasis of the angiosarcoma. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) at a dose of 20 x 10(4) U once daily was administered intrapleurally. Clinical improvement was first observed on the second day after the first dose of IL-2. Increases in natural and in lymphokine-activated killer activity of lymphocytes in pleural effusion were found on the eighth day. Starting on the 16th day of IL-2 therapy, no more fluid was drained, so administration of IL-2 was stopped. The clinical course indicated that the pleural effusion disappeared not because of pleurodesis but because of the anti-cancer effects of IL-2. There were no marked side effects, and intrapleural administration of IL-2 may be useful in patients with hemothorax due to metastasis of angiosarcoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Hemangiosarcoma / secondary*
  • Hemangiosarcoma / therapy*
  • Hemothorax / etiology
  • Hemothorax / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Injections
  • Interleukin-2 / administration & dosage*
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pleura
  • Scalp
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Interleukin-2