RATIONALE: Interleukin-2 may stimulate a person's white blood cells to kill cancer cells. It is not yet known which regimen of interleukin-2 is most effective for kidney cancer. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of different regimens of interleukin-2 in treating patients who have metastatic kidney cancer.
OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the response rate and overall survival of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with either low-dose or high-dose intravenous interleukin-2 (IL-2) or subcutaneous IL-2. II. Compare the toxic effects of these 3 regimens in this patient population. OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Patients are stratified according to presence of renal tumor (yes vs no). Patients are randomized to one of three treatment arms. Arm I: Patients receive low dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) IV every 8 hours for up to 15 doses. Treatment repeats in 7-10 days for one complete course. Arm II: Patients receive high dose IL-2 IV every 8 hours for up to 15 doses. Treatment repeats in 7-10 days for one complete course. Arm III: Patients receive IL-2 subcutaneously daily 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Treatment continues in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with stable or responding disease receive an additional complete course of therapy. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 400 patients will be accrued for this study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Purpose
TREATMENT
Surgery Branch
Bethesda, Maryland, United States
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.