IL-2 PERFUSION OF EXPERIMENTAL HEPATIC METASTASES

The effect of isolated in vivo liver perfusion with Interleukin 2 (IL- 2) in experimental colorectal metastases was evaluated. Wistar Furth r ats were inoculated with the NGW colonic adenocarcinoma. 5 to 7 days l ater the liver was totally isolated and perfused via the hepatic arter y and portal vein. The rats were treated with or without IL-2 in the p erfusate, or only sham-operated with no perfusion. The tumor volume wa s assessed at the time of perfusion and 5 or 10 days later. On day 5 t here was. no difference in tumour growth between the three groups. On day 10 there was a retardation of tumour growth in the group perfusion with IL-2 compared to control perfusion and sham-operated animals. Qu antitative immunohistochemical analysis of the tumour and surrounding normal liver tissue showed no significant difference in the number or distribution of T cells, NK cells or cells expressing MHC class II ant igens, between the three groups.