INDUCTION OF INSULIN-ANTIBODIES AND INSULIN ALLERGY UNDER ALPHA-INTERFERON TREATMENT OF RENAL-CELL CARCINOMA IN A PATIENT WITH INSULIN-TREATED DIABETES-MELLITUS - A CASE-REPORT

The induction of insulin antibodies and the development of an insulin allergy were observed in a male diabetic patient treated with insulin during alpha-IFN therapy of renal cell carcinoma. Diabetes and renal c ell carcinoma were diagnosed at the same time. The patient was treated with biosynthetic human insulin and nephrectomy was performed. Four m onths later, antineoplastic chemotherapy was started (alpha-IFN, vinbl astin). Six weeks after initiation of alpha-IFN injections, the patien t reported signs of insulin allergy. Significant titers of insulin ant ibodies of both the IgG and IgE subclasses were found in the serum at that time and during follow-up, but not before the treatment with alph a-IFN. None of the other autoantibodies investigated were positive.