INTRATHECAL IMMUNOTHERAPY IN CNS TUMORS DISSEMINATING VIA CSF - PRELIMINARY EVALUATION USING DIFFERENT TREATMENT SCHEDULES

Eight patients affected by central nervous system tumours disseminatin g via cerebrospinal fluid received rIL-2 immunotherapy according to th ree different protocols involving intrathecal administration followed or not by systemic infusion. Immunological monitoring included serial evaluation of CSF leukocytes, CSF and peripheral blood CD3(-)CD56(+) c ells, and NK activity. The most marked rise in CSF leukocyte levels wa s induced by daily intrathecal rIL2 administration, which also induced increased PB NK activity. Systemic rIL2 infusion following intratheca l treatment maintained a high percentage of CSF CD3(-)CD56(+) cells, b ut not CSF leukocytes at high levels. Clinical conditions. improved af ter treatment in two patients, worsened in one and remained substantia lly unchanged in the remaining five. The side effects of intrathecal r IL2 treatment included fever, confusion, and seizures, and there were marked interindividual variations in the immunological response.