Proleukin.  Aldesleukin for Injection




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PROLEUKIN Clinical Trials Data

Before the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug for treatment of a particular disease or condition, the drug must be studied under controlled scientific conditions. These studies are called clinical trials. During the clinical trials, patients are treated with the drug, and the effectiveness in treating the disease is measured. Patients are also carefully monitored for potential side effects that may be caused by the treatment.

The results of clinical trials are submitted to the FDA to determine whether the drug should be approved for use.

When considering treatment options with your doctor, it's important to understand how results are measured in clinical trials and what they mean to your disease. For cancer treatments, most results are measured by how much a tumor has changed after a specific period of treatment.

"If you are considering PROLEUKIN® (aldesleukin) for injection therapy for metastatic melanoma or metastatic kidney cancer, there are certain things you need to know. Number one is to familiarize yourself with the clinical data and ask yourself why PROLEUKIN therapy is an important treatment option."
Dr. Ralph Hauke, Medical Oncologist, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE

Results of early PROLEUKIN Clinical Trials

Renal Cell Carcinoma (metastatic kidney cancer)
Year received FDA Approval 1992
Number of Patients 255 patients
Number of Trials 7
Response

In 15% of the patients, the tumors shrank or disappeared as a result of PROLEUKIN therapy.

In 7% of the patients, the tumors disappeared completely.

Results From the results of these clinical trials, it was determined that patients who had a complete response (all tumors disappeared) to PROLEUKIN therapy remained cancer-free for a median of 6.7 years. For more detailed results, please see full prescribing information.


Metastatic Melanoma
Year received FDA Approval 1998
Number of Patients 270 patients
Number of Trials 8
Response

In 16% of the patients, tumors shrank or disappeared as a result of PROLEUKIN therapy.

In 6% of the patients, the tumors disappeared completely.

Results From these trials, it was determined that a patient whose tumors completely disappeared from the treatment remained cancer-free for a median of 4.9 years. For more detailed results, please see full prescribing information.


PROLEUKIN Learning Center


PROLEUKIN® Learning Center
Explore the possibilities. To learn more about PROLEUKIN therapy and see if PROLEUKIN therapy is the appropriate treatment for your metastatic melanoma or metastatic kidney cancer, visit the PROLEUKIN Learning Center.



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Treatment Center Regions

“Everyone with metastatic melanoma or metastatic renal cell carcinoma should find out if they are a candidate for PROLEUKIN therapy.”
Dr. Lee Riley, Medical Director, St. Luke’s Cancer Center, Bethlehem, PA.

Click here to find a PROLEUKIN treatment center nearest to your home.




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PROLEUKIN® (aldesleukin) is indicated for the treatment of adults with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and metastatic melanoma.

Important Safety Information

Therapy with PROLEUKIN® (aldesleukin) for injection should be restricted to patients with normal cardiac and pulmonary functions as defined by thallium stress testing and formal pulmonary function testing. Extreme caution should be used in patients with a normal thallium stress test and a normal pulmonary function test who have a history of cardiac or pulmonary disease.

PROLEUKIN® should be administered in a hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of anticancer agents. An intensive care facility and specialists skilled in cardiopulmonary or intensive care medicine must be available.

PROLEUKIN® administration has been associated with capillary leak syndrome (CLS) which is characterized by a loss of vascular tone, and extravasation of plasma proteins and fluid into the extravascular space. CLS results in hypotension and reduced organ perfusion which may be severe and can result in death. CLS may be associated with cardiac arrhythmias (supraventricular and ventricular), angina, myocardial infarction, respiratory insufficiency requiring intubation, gastrointestinal bleeding or infarction, renal insufficiency, edema, and mental status changes.

PROLEUKIN® treatment is associated with impaired neutrophil function (reduced chemotaxis) and with an increased risk of disseminated infection, including sepsis and bacterial endocarditis. Consequently, preexisting bacterial infections should be adequately treated prior to initiation of PROLEUKIN® therapy. Patients with indwelling central lines are particularly at risk for infection with gram positive microorganisms. Antibiotic prophylaxis with oxacillin, nafcillin, ciprofloxacin, or vancomycin has been associated with a reduced incidence of staphylococcal infections.

PROLEUKIN® administration should be withheld in patients developing moderate to severe lethargy or somnolence; continued administration may result in coma.

Please see complete prescribing information, including box warning.

The content contained in this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice related to any topic discussed. Patients are urged to consult with their treating physicians or other professionals. Never disregard professional,medical or legal advice or delay seeking such advice because of something you have read on this website.


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