Hyperbilirubinaemia in Patients Treated with rIL-2
Author Information
Author(s): C.J.A. Punt, S.C. Henzen-Logmans, R.L.H. Bolhuis, G. Stoter
Primary Institution: Dr Daniel den Hoed Cancer Centre
Hypothesis
Does treatment with recombinant human interleukin-2 (rIL-2) cause hyperbilirubinaemia in patients?
Conclusion
Hyperbilirubinaemia occurred in 16% of patients treated with rIL-2 but did not recur in subsequent treatment cycles.
Supporting Evidence
- Hyperbilirubinaemia occurred in three patients (16%) during the first treatment cycle.
- The maximum bilirubin concentration in the first cycle for patients with hyperbilirubinaemia was 109 μmol/L.
- Histological examination of the liver showed features of acute multifocal hepatitis.
Takeaway
Some patients treated with a medicine called rIL-2 had a temporary increase in a substance called bilirubin, but it didn't happen again in later treatments.
Methodology
Patients received continuous infusion of rIL-2 for five consecutive days with treatment intervals of 1-3 weeks.
Limitations
The study only reports on a small number of patients and does not provide long-term follow-up data.
Participant Demographics
The study included 22 patients, with one case detailed of a 65-year-old woman with melanoma.
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