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Cancer Drug Information

  • Posted: 10/30/2008
  • Updated: 11/03/2011

Aldesleukin

listen 1  (AL-des-LOO-kin)

This page contains brief information about aldesleukin and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s): Proleukin
FDA Approved: Yes

Use in Cancer

Aldesleukin is approved to treat:

Aldesleukin is also called interleukin-2 (IL-2).

Aldesleukin is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

More About Aldesleukin

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary 2 - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

MedlinePlus Information on Aldesleukin 3 - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

  • warnings about this drug,
  • what this drug is used for and how it is used,
  • what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
  • what you should know about this drug before using it,
  • other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
  • possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Biological Therapies for Cancer: Questions and Answers 4 - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

Biological Therapy 5 - Information from NCI about this drug.

Research Results

Alternative Vaccine Strategy Shows Promise in Prostate Cancer Patients 6 - Information from the NCI Press Office about this drug.

NCI Researchers Confirm the Effectiveness of Immunotherapy Approach to Treating Melanoma 7 - Information from the NCI Press Office about this drug.

Modifying Immune System Response to Cancer Chemotherapy Could Lead to New Treatment Approaches 8 - Information from the NCI Press Office about this drug.

Clinical Trials Accepting Patients

Find Clinical Trials for Aldesleukin 9 - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.

Important: The drug information on this page is meant to be educational. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information may not cover all possible uses, actions, interactions, or side effects of this drug, or precautions to be taken while using it. Please see your health care professional for more information about your specific medical condition and the use of this drug.


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Glossary Terms

cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
kidney cancer (KID-nee KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the kidneys. Kidney cancer includes renal cell carcinoma (cancer that forms in the lining of very small tubes in the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products) and renal pelvis carcinoma (cancer that forms in the center of the kidney where urine collects). It also includes Wilms tumor, which is a type of kidney cancer that usually develops in children under the age of 5.
melanoma (MEH-luh-NOH-muh)
A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.
metastasize (meh-TAS-tuh-size)
To spread from one part of the body to another. When cancer cells metastasize and form secondary tumors, the cells in the metastatic tumor are like those in the original (primary) tumor.
renal cell carcinoma (REE-nul sel KAR-sih-NOH-muh)
The most common type of kidney cancer. It begins in the lining of the renal tubules in the kidney. The renal tubules filter the blood and produce urine. Also called hypernephroma, renal cell adenocarcinoma, and renal cell cancer.

Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Media/CDR/Media/709917.mp3
2http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/drugdictionary.aspx?CdrID=39756
3http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a692009.html
4http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/biological
5http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/biologicaltherapy
6http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/MetronomicIL-2Gulley
7http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/melanomaAutologus
8http://www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/ImmuneModifyForVaccine
9http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=39756&idtype=1
10http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/alphalist
11http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/drug-page-index
12http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learningabout/approval-process-for-cancer-
drugs
13http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/investigational-drug-access