IL2hoidoissa

IL2hoidoissa, or interleukin-2 therapy, refers to medical treatments that use the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) to stimulate immune responses against disease. In oncology, high-dose IL-2 therapy has been used to treat metastatic renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma, with the goal of activating T cells and natural killer cells to attack tumor cells. The mechanism involves promoting proliferation and activation of cytotoxic immune cells, but high-dose regimens can cause severe toxicity, including capillary leak syndrome, hypotension, renal impairment, and organ dysfunction. Because of the risk profile, high-dose IL-2 is administered in specialized inpatient settings with intensive hemodynamic monitoring.

Low-dose IL-2 regimens have also been explored, aiming to modulate the immune system with less toxicity. These approaches have been studied for autoimmune diseases and graft-related therapies by expanding regulatory T cells or tuning immune balance, though they are not standard cancer therapies.

Indications and use: IL-2 therapies were historically standard care for certain metastatic cancers, particularly renal cell carcinoma and melanoma, in the late 20th century. With the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors and targeted therapies, high-dose IL-2 use has declined, but it remains an option in some centers for selected patients and within clinical trials.

Administration: High-dose IL-2 is typically given as a course of intravenous infusions every several hours over several days, with treatment cycles followed by recovery periods. Patients require close monitoring of blood pressure, renal function, electrolytes, and fluid status.

Outcomes and side effects: Response rates are modest, and complete responses are rare but can be durable in some patients. Side effects are common and can be severe, often requiring stopping treatment.

History: IL-2 therapy received regulatory approval in the 1990s and represents an early form of cancer immunotherapy, illustrating the shift toward modern checkpoint-based strategies.