Evaluation of blocking mechanisms against immunological responses in patients with laryngeal carcinoma

Temporary regression of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is achieved with a low but not with a high dose of recombinant interleukin 2 injected perilymphatically

The efficacy of ten daily injections of 500 or 500,000 U of recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2) day-1 given 1.5 cm from the insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the mastoid was evaluated in 31 patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. No toxic effects were noted. One complete response (CR) and three partial responses (PRs) were observed in the 16 patients who received 500 U of IL-2, whereas the higher dose was not effective. The CR was recorded in one of the seven patients with a oropharyngeal recurrence. Partial responses were obtained in 1/5 patients with hypopharyngeal recurrences, in 1/5 patients with oral cavity recurrences and 1/7 patients with laryngeal recurrences. The duration of the responses was 3-5 months and additional courses of ten injections of IL-2 had no further effect.

Monocytes and impaired leukocyte migration inhibitory factor production in head and neck squamous carcinoma

Impaired cell-mediated immunity has been consistently associated with head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSC). Previous work has implicated monocytes in this impairment. The present study shows that in a subgroup of untreated patients with advanced HNSC, monocytes are responsible for impaired in vitro lymphokine (leukocyte migration inhibitory factor) production. In view of recent studies suggesting interactions between lymphokines and monocytes in the immune response, the present findings may be relevant to future immunotherapeutic approaches.