Drug Action
Aldesleukin produces tumour shrinkage in a small proportion of patients, but it has not been shown to increase survival.
PDF page 1032
Loading InternPractice…
Drug reference
Aldesleukin produces tumour shrinkage in a small proportion of patients, but it has not been shown to increase survival.
PDF page 1032
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (specialist use only) ▶BY SUBCUTANEOUS INJECTION, OR BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ▶Adult: (consult product literature) Immune system and malignant disease l UNLICENSED USE Aldesleukin is not licensed for use in patients in whom all three of the following prognostic factors are present: performance status of Eastern Co- operative Oncology Group of 1 or greater, more than one organ with metastatic disease sites, and a period of less than 24 months between initial diagnosis of primary tumour and date of evaluation of treatment.
PDF page 1032
Consult product literature
PDF page 1032
Consult product literature
PDF page 1032
▶Common or very common Acidosis. alopecia. anaemia. anxiety. appetite decreased. arrhythmias. arthralgia. ascites. asthenia. cardiovascular disorders. chest pain. chills. coagulation disorders. confusion. conjunctivitis. constipation. cough. cyanosis. dehydration. depression. diarrhoea. dizziness. drowsiness. dyspepsia. dysphagia. dyspnoea. electrolyte imbalance. eosinophilia. fever. gastrointestinal disorders. haemorrhage. hallucination. headache. heart failure. hepatic disorders. hyperbilirubinaemia. hyperglycaemia. hyperhidrosis. hypertension. hyperthyroidism. hypotension. hypothermia. hypothyroidism. hypoxia. increased risk of infection. insomnia. irritability. ischaemic heart disease. leucopenia. malaise. mucositis. myalgia. nasal congestion. nausea. nerve disorders. oedema. oral disorders. pain. palpitations. paraesthesia. pulmonary oedema. renal impairment. respiratory disorders. sepsis. skin reactions. speech disorder. syncope. taste loss. thrombocytopenia. vomiting. weight changes ▶Uncommon Angioedema. cardiac arrest. cardiac inflammation. cardiomyopathy. coma. embolism and thrombosis. hypoglycaemia. muscle weakness. myopathy . neutropenia. pancreatitis. paralysis. pericardial disorders. seizure ▶Rare or very rare Agranulocytosis. aplastic anaemia. cholecystitis. Crohn’s disease aggravated. diabetes mellitus. haemolytic anaemia. injection site necrosis. Stevens-Johnson syndrome. ventricular dysfunction ▶Frequency not known Capillary leak syndrome. immune complex RPGN. inflammatory arthritis. intracranial haemorrhage. leukoencephalopathy. myocardial infarction. oculo-bulbar myasthenia gravis. psychiatric disorder. stroke. thyroiditis. vasculitis cerebral
PDF page 1032
Ensure effective contraception during treatment in men and women.
PDF page 1032
Use only if potential benefit outweighs risk (toxicity in animal studies). See also Pregnancy and reproductive function in Cytotoxic drugs p. 938.
PDF page 1032
Discontinue breast-feeding.
PDF page 1032
Aldesleukin is now rarely given by intravenous infusion because of an increased risk of capillary leak syndrome, which can cause pulmonary oedema and hypotension.
PDF page 1032
There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Powder for solution for injection ▶Proleukin (Clinigen Healthcare Ltd) Aldesleukin 18 mega unit Proleukin 18million unit powder for solution for injection vials | 1 vial P £112.00 | 10 vial P £1,036.00 IMMUNOSTIMULANTS › OTHER
PDF page 1032
(consult product literature)
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
PDF page 1032