Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) was administrated to three cases of progressive oral cancer, and the immunological activities were observed.
Case 1: A 77 year-old man with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the buccal mucosa.2.59×107JRU (Japan Reference Unit) of IL-2 was injected into the tissue surrounding the tumor for 24 days. The regression of the tumor was observed, and was considered to the partial response (PR) . However, the tumor made progeress and the patient passed away after 4 years.
Case 2: A 62 year-old woman with progressed squamous cell carcinoma of buccal mucosa. 7.7×106JRU of IL-2 was injected intravenously for 11 days. The tumor made progress despite the radiation and chemotherapies, the patient underwent and she passed away after 2 months.
Case 3: A 63 year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma of maxillary sinus. After 3 weeks of partial resection of the maxilla the residual tumor was observed on the pterigoid fossa. 1.5×107JRU of IL-2 was administrated intravenously with60Co radiation. The patient has been living without tumor since 1988.
The number of eosinophilic leucocytes were increased in case 1, and the number of total lymphocytes were increased in cases 1 and 3. Some kinds of phenotypes of lymphocytes were in high level in case 2, however they were not increased after treatment. In cases 1 and 3, CD 57 and CD 16 positive cells were increased after the administration of IL-2, and NK and LAK activities were also increased.
