Being Alive Newsletter; July 1992 Dr. Robert Schooley and reported by Walt Senterfitt
Another cytokine tested extensively in people is interleukin-2, also know as T-cell Growth Factor. There was a lot of enthusiasm about this substance several years ago. Its major problem in clinical use is its very short serum half-life. This has been partly dealt with by combining it with another substance (called polyethylene glycol or PEG) to extend the half-life. IL-2 must be given intravenously and, for reasons that are not clear, this IV administration via indwelling catheters (e.g. Hickman) has been associated with higher incidences of bacterial infection or sepsis than one would expect. There has also been considerable systemic toxicity reported, including central nervous system toxicity, with IL-2, including the PEG form of it.
I think there may be a niche for the "PEGalated" form of IL-2, especially in people with advanced disease. Dr. Merigan of Stanford is about to publish a paper showing that such folks, if they can tolerate the drug, show some modest but sustained rises in CD4 cells after infusions.
Still, it's important to bear in mind that IL-2 and any of the cytokines are very non-specific agents. What we need to be using is Patriot missiles and what we're firing with cytokines are SCUDs. We need to be doing clinical trials of much more specific agents.
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AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Roxane Laboratories, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1992. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.