Immunomodulation following treatment with ch14.18 and interleukin 2 in patients with refractory neuroblastoma

Introduction: Patients with recurrent or refractory neuroblastoma are treated with ch14.18 and s.c. interleukin 2 (IL-2). Antibody is applied as continuous long term infusion in order to reduce side effects known to occur after bolus infusion. Here we describe effects of this therapy on the immune response. Methods: Patients received IL-2 for 5 days (s.c.; day 1–5), followed by a combined application of IL-2 (s.c.; day 8–12) with ch14.18 (i.v.; day 8–18). Assays for complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), and ch14.18 levels from patient material were establi…