Purpose:  Proleukin is an immunotherapy that uses the body's natural immune system to fight melanoma.

How it works: Proleukin is a recombinant form of interleukin-2 (IL-2), a cytokine which helps activate the immune system (including T cell and natural killer cells) to kill cancer cells.

Which patients:  IL- is approved for the treatment of advanced metastatic melanoma. Patients who receive IL-2 must have normal heart, lung, liver and kidney function to be eligible. You will be evaluated to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for IL-2.

How it is given: It should be given in a hospital under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of IL-2. An intensive care facility and specialists skilled in cardiopulmonary or intensive care medicine must be available.

The drug is given via an IV line 3 times a day for 5 days (cycle 1), followed by 9 days of rest, followed by 5 days of treatment (cycle 2). This is considered one treatment course. You will typically get imaging done after the first treatment course and if you are responding, you will receive a second course of treatment and possibly a third course.

Effectiveness: IL-2 shrinks tumors in about 15% of patients. However, about 5% of patients get a complete response that can last 7 years or more.

Side effects: IL-2 can have very serious side effects, the most serious being a condition called "capillary leak" which occurs when fluids and proteins leak from the blood vessels, causing dangerously low blood pressure.

The most common side effects include:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite
• weakness and fatigue
• flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache and muscle aches)
• low blood pressure
• general pain, chest pain (angina)
• breathing problems due to fluid in the lungs
• weight gain, fluid retention
• mental effects (paranoia, hallucinations, insomnia)
• itching, peeling skin
• anemia (low red blood cell count)
• low platelet count (increasing the risk of bleeding)
• low white blood cell count
• kidney damage
• mouth sores.

Additional information/resources:

Reimbursement and Patient Assistance. Proleukin Patient Assistance Program 1-877-776-5385

Product Information: 1-877-378-4919

Proleukin Treatment Centers: http://www.proleukin.com/patient/treating/index.jsp