Other Treatments for Kidney Cancer
Condition InDepth
Biologic Therapy
Biologic therapy (also called immunotherapy) uses drugs to improve the way your body fights cancer. The therapy attempts to repair, stimulate, or enhance the immune system so that it can identify and fight the cancer cells more effectively. It may be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
Cytokines are reproduced proteins that activate the body's immune system. Examples of cytokines used to treat kidney cancer include interferon alfa and interleukin 2 ( IL-2, aldesleukin, or proleukin).
Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is given by injection under the skin or by IV for metastatic kidney cancer. Treatment may be given in cycles separated by a rest period. In some cases, IL-2 results in shrinking the tumor. In others, the tumor may disappear completely, though there is a chance of recurrence. IL-2 treatment is not appropriate for all people with metastatic kidney cancer because of the serious side effects.
Common Side Effects
IL-2:
- Chills
- Fever
- Low blood pressure
- Kidney damage
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Heart attack
- Shortness of breath from the build-up of fluid in the lungs
- Rapid heartbeat
References
- Kidney cancer treatment. American Cancer Society website. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/kidney-cancer/treating.html.
- Kidney cancer: treatment. National Kidney Foundation website. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kc-treatment.
- Renal cell carcinoma. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114704/Renal-cell-carcinoma.
- Treatment option overview. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/types/kidney/patient/kidney-treatment-pdq#section/_93.
Contributors
- Mohei Abouzied, MD, FACP
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