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Generic Name: Interleukin-2 (IL-2)
Brand Name(s): Proleukin®
IUPAC:
FDA Approval: yes
Manufacturer Link
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Usage: IL-2 is used to treat
metastatic kidney (renal) cancer and metastatic melanoma. It may be combined with other drugs.
Mechanism: Interleukin-2 (IL-2) works by stimulating the immune system of the patient to attack cancer cells. Specifically, IL-2 binds to, and activates, T lymphocytes. IL-2 is a naturally occurring
protein and the drug is a recombinant version produced in the laboratory. Proleukin® is the brand name for the recombinant form; aldesleukin is the generic name for this version of the protein.
Side Effects: Common side effects include flu-like symptoms, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, skin changes, weakness, tiredness, and fluid retention. Other important considerations are the effects that IL-2 may have on kidney function and the heart. To monitor kidney function blood tests are done prior to and during treatment. Effects on the heart are usually dose-dependent. Lowering of blood pressure may cause dizziness or faintness. Also, a physician should be contacted if a patient experiences any chest pain. These side effects usually subside when treatment ends. In some cases treatment requires a hospital stay, especially if the dosage is high, the treatment is given over several days or in the event of severe side effects.
(1)Contraindications: Patients need to have normal heart (cardiac) and lung (pulmonary) function as determined by a thallium stress test.
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