Ultra Low Dose Interleukin-2 in Healthy Volunteers

Summary

Background: \- Interleukin-2 is a drug that can help stimulate the body s response to inflammation. High dose interleukin-2 has been used to treat different types of cancer and immune system disorders. However, it can cause frequent and often serious side effects at the doses currently used for treatment. Very low dose interleukin-2 (700 folds less than regular dose) was previously tested in cancer patients and stem cell transplant recipients. The study observed important immune changes and minimal side effects in those patients. Researchers want to test the healthy immune system's responses to very low doses of interleukin-2 to better understand how the drug works. Objectives: \- To study the effects of very low doses of interleukin-2 on healthy volunteers. Eligibility: \- Healthy volunteers at least 18 years of age. Design: * Participants will be screened with a medical history and physical exam. They will also have blood and urine samples. * Participants will receive one of two possible very low doses of interleukin-2 every day for 5 days. * Blood samples will be taken twice before the first dose, 1 day after the first dose, and before the next three doses. Followup blood samples will be taken on Days 7, 14, and 28 after the first dose.

Timeline

Start

2011-09-28

Primary completion

2013-07-15

Completion

2013-07-15

Publications

• Background Smith KA. Interleukin-2: inception, impact, and implications. Science. 1988 May 27;240(4856):1169-76. doi: 10.1126/science.3131876.
• Background Morgan DA, Ruscetti FW, Gallo R. Selective in vitro growth of T lymphocytes from normal human bone marrows. Science. 1976 Sep 10;193(4257):1007-8. doi: 10.1126/science.181845.
• Background Macdonald D, Jiang YZ, Gordon AA, Mahendra P, Oskam R, Palmer PA, Franks CR, Barrett AJ. Recombinant interleukin 2 for acute myeloid leukaemia in first complete remission: a pilot study. Leuk Res. 1990;14(11-12):967-73. doi: 10.1016/0145-2126(90)90109-m.

Drugs

Indications