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The activation of lymphocytes by gefitinib treatment has been described. In this phase II pilot trial, we explored the possible synergism between IL-2 and gefitinib for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. From September, 2003, to November, 2006, 70 consecutive patients with advanced, progressive NSCLC, previously treated with chemotherapy, received oral gefitinib 250 mg daily. The first 39 patients received gefitinib alone (G group). The other 31 also received subcutaneous IL-2 (GIL-2 group): 1 MIU/m2 (Million International Unit/m2)twice a day on Days 1 and 2, once a day on Days 3, 4, 5 every week for four consecutive weeks with a four-week rest period. Median follow-up was 25.2 months. Grade 3-4 toxicity of gefitinib was represented by skin rash (7%), asthenia/anorexia (6%) and diarrhea (7%); patients treated with IL-2 showed grade 2-3 fever (46%), fatigue (21%) and arthralgia (13%). In the GIL-2 group and G-group, we respectively observed: an overall response rate of 16.1% (6.4% complete response) and 5.1% (only partial response); a disease control rate of 41.9% and 41%; a median time to progression of 3.5 (CI 95% = 3.2-3.8) and 4.1 (CI 95% = 2.6-5.7) months; a median overall survival of 20.1 (CI 95% = 5.1-35.1) and 6.9 (CI 95% = 4.9-8.9) months (p = 0.002); and an actuarial one-year survival rate of 54% and 30%. Skin toxicity (p < 0.001; HR = 0.29; CI 95% = 0.16-0.54) and use of IL-2 (p < 0.001; HR = 0.33; CI 95% = 0.18-0.60) were independently associated with improvement of survival. In this consecutive, non-randomized, series of advanced NSCLC patients, the use of IL-2 increased the efficacy of gefitinib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recent studies reported a close correlation between polymorphisms in the Interleukin (IL)28B gene and rates of resolution of hepatitis C virus infection occurring spontaneously or induced by treatment. The diagnostic utility of IL28B genotype, however, is not understood completely. For rapid data collection on the natural history of HCV infection in patients with different IL28B genotype, simple, sensitive and rapid methods suitable for non-invasive and archival clinical samples are needed urgently. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for IL28B typing (rs12979860) was developed using very small DNA quantities extracted from different biological specimens. Consistent IL28B genotyping of at least two DNA samples obtained from different sources such as whole blood, buccal swab, serum, and formalin fixed paraffin-embedded liver tissue was obtained from 58 patients with liver disease of mixed etiology. IL28B genotype prevalence in 170 patients with liver disease in this region of Italy was consistent with data reported in Caucasian populations. Differential distribution of genotypes was observed according to response to treatment in 68 patients infected with HCV, with higher prevalence of CC genotype in responders (50%) compared to non-responders (17.85%; p =0.015). These results indicate that the possibility of reliable IL28B genotyping using different DNA sources may represent a useful tool for both clinical research and characterization of patients with hepatitis C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article investigates the long-term impact of interleukin (IL)-2 therapy on HIV infection by researchers from Milan, Italy. In this study, the researchers focused on immunologic and virologic consequences and long-term impact of intermittent IL-2 therapy on HIV-infected patients. In conclusion, the correlates of IL-2-induced immunoogic reconstitution, in addition to the restoration of a normal number of circulating CD4 T-cells, remain to be fully uncovered.