LOCAL IMMUNOTHERAPY OF RECURRENT GLIOBLASTOMA-MULTIFORME BY INTRACEREBRAL PERFUSION OF INTERLEUKIN-2 AND LAK CELLS

A non randomized pilot study has been undertaken to evaluate the feasi bility of local immunotherapy (IT) of recurrent glioblastoma multiform e (GM) by continuous intracerebral perfusion of recombinant interleuki n-2 (rIL-2, Eurocetus) with and without lymphokine activated killer (L AK) cells. At time of surgical removal of the tumor, a catheter was im planted in the cavity left by tumor debulking allowing continuous perf usion of rIL-2. Five patients received 18 x 10(6) IU /day of rIL-2 for five days. At days 1, 3, and 5 after surgery, rIL-2 perfusion was bri efly interrupted for the injection of LAK cells. Eight other patients received rIL-2 alone, either 24 x 10(6) IU /day (five patients) or 54 x 10(6) IU /day (three patients). Capillary leak syndrome, which is th e main side effect of systemic infusion of rIL-2, was never observed, but local immunotherapy induced fever; confusion, and cerebral edema i n all patients. Despite local IT, tumor progression was diagnosed by C T scan 4 to 12 weeks after the treatment.