If your patients have questions, you can direct them to:
This section provides healthcare professionals with answers to questions about Proleukin.
What is Proleukin?
Proleukin (aldesleukin) for injection is a recombinant version of interleukin-2 (IL-2), an endogenous cytokine that has multiple effects on immune response.1,2 Learn more.
How does Proleukin work?
Proleukin is a T-cell growth factor that causes widespread activation of the immune system to better recognize and kill cancer cells.3 Learn more.
Who may benefit the most from Proleukin?
Overall health status has been shown to correlate with how well patients will respond to Proleukin. Nearly all the patients in the Proleukin clinical trials had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 0 or 1.4,5,* Learn more.
*mRCC: PS 0 = 65% and PS 1 = 31%; mM: PS 0 = 71% and PS 1 = 27%.4,5
Have Proleukin patients been able to achieve durable complete responses?
Yes. In clinical trials, Proleukin has demonstrated over 10 years of durable complete responses in some mRCC and mM patients. Complete response rates achieved were 7% in mRCC patients and 6% in mM patients.3,6,7 Learn more.
What possible side effects are associated with Proleukin?
Proleukin administration has been associated with capillary leak syndrome (CLS). CLS is associated with swelling that is caused by fluids leaking out of blood vessels into surrounding tissues. If CLS is not treated promptly, it may cause a drop in blood pressure and decreased flow of blood to the organs, and, subsequently, changes in heartbeat rhythms, severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, heart attack, decreased kidney function, and, possibly, coma. Other side effects that may occur include sudden low blood pressure, diarrhea, chills, nausea, confusion, scanty urination, and rash. In general, adverse events are frequent, often serious, and sometimes fatal.3
Please see full Prescribing Information, including boxed warning, for further details.
Side effects associated with Proleukin therapy vary, and rarely, if ever, do individual patients experience every potential side effect associated with treatment.
Are most treatment-related side effects reversible?
Yes. Most treatment-related side effects are rapidly reversible. These side effects can be managed at specialized IL-2 (Proleukin) Treatment Centers, and most improve within 2 to 3 days of discontinuing therapy.3-5
Are long-term side effects common with Proleukin?
No. Long-term sequelae associated with Proleukin are extremely rare.5
Why can't I administer Proleukin in my office?
Proleukin therapy must be administered in a hospital setting where physicians and nurses are highly experienced in administering IL-2 therapy.3
Will I be updated about my patients during treatment with Proleukin?
Yes. The specialized IL-2 Treatment Center team keeps you updated while your patient is receiving treatment with Proleukin.
Will insurance cover Proleukin?
Proleukin is an FDA-approved treatment for mRCC and mM patients. Most private insurance will pay for treatment; however, the precise amount covered may vary by plan. As with any cancer therapy, always check with the patient's insurance company to verify coverage.
References: 1. Jarkowski A III, Wong MKK. A re-assessment of the safety and efficacy of interleukin-2 for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma. Clin Med Ther. 2009;1:527-540. 2. Bosco MC, Curiel RE, Zea AH, Malabarba MG, Ortaldo JR, Espinoza-Delgado I. IL-2 signaling in human monocytes involves the phosphorylation and activation of p59hck. J Immunol. 2000;164(9):4575-4585. 3. Proleukin [package insert]. Yardley, PA: Clinigen, Inc; 2019. 4. Fyfe G, Fisher RI, Rosenberg SA, Sznol M, Parkinson DR, Louie AC. Results of treatment of 255 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who received high-dose recombinant interleukin-2 therapy. J Clin Oncol. 1995;13(3):688-696. 5. Atkins MB, Lotze MT, Dutcher JP, et al. High-dose recombinant interleukin 2 therapy for patients with metastatic melanoma: analysis of 270 patients treated between 1985 and 1993. J Clin Oncol. 1999;17(7):2105-2116. 6. Fisher RI, Rosenberg SA, Fyfe G. Long-term survival update for high-dose recombinant interleukin-2 in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Cancer J Sci Am. 2000;6(suppl 1):S55-S57. 7. Atkins MB, Kunkel L, Sznol M, Rosenberg SA. High-dose recombinant interleukin-2 therapy in patients with metastatic melanoma: long-term survival update. Cancer J Sci Am. 2000;6(suppl 1):S11-S14.