A. Fefer et al., INTERLEUKIN-2+ -LYMPHOCYTES AS CONSOLIDATIVE IMMUNOTHERAPY AFTER AUTOLOGOUS BONE-MARROW TRANSPLANTATION FOR HEMATOLOGIC MALIGNANCIES/, Acta haematologica, 89, 1993, pp. 2-7
Patients who undergo autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) for
advanced hematologic malignancies experience a high relapse rate. The
rapy with interleukin-2 (IL-2)+/-lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cel
ls has induced clinical responses in some patients with advanced malig
nant lymphoma (ML) or acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). It is postulat
ed that IL-2+/-LAK cells represents a potentially non-cross-resistant
therapeutic modality which might prevent or delay relapses if used as
consolidative immunotherapy after ABMT, at a time of minimal residual
disease. Therefore, we first studied the reconstitution of IL-2-respon
sive LAK precursor cells after ABMT and found them in the circulation
as early as 3 weeks after ABMT. A phase Ib clinical trial was then per
formed which identified a tolerable IL-2 regimen which could be admini
stered early after ABMT and which could induce immunomodulatory effect
s. We then initiated a clinical trial to determine the feasibility of
generating and administering autologous LAK cells using this IL-2 regi
men after ABMT for 16 patients with ML. The results show that IL-2+LAK
therapy early after ABMT is feasible but is more toxic than IL-2 alon
e. Patients with AML on the phase I IL-2 trial and with ML on the IL-2
+LAK protocol were evaluated for tumor status. Of 8 patients with AML
in first relapse or at a later stage who underwent ABMT and received I
L-2, 2 have relapsed, while 6 remain in complete remission 26+ to 40(median 28+) months after ABMT. Of 16 patients with ML considered at h
igh risk for relapse who were treated with ABMT+IL-2+LAK, 5 have relap
sed, while 11 remain in complete remission at 6+ to 21+ (median 10+) m
onths after ABMT. The results in both trials are quite encouraging and
appear to be better than those in nonrandomized historical controls a
t our institution. Prospectively randomized trials of IL-2 versus no I
L-2 after ABMT in such patients are being initiated to assess definiti
vely the effect, if any, on the relapse rate.