Related pages Drug Information Summaries 1 Approval Process for New Cancer Treatments 2 Access to Investigational Drugs 3

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

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

Aldesleukin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or melanoma that has metastasized (spread to other parts of the body). It is used to treat patients who are otherwise in good health.

Aldesleukin is also called interleukin-2 (IL-2). It is being studied in the prevention and treatment of other conditions and types of cancer.

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary ⁴ - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

Biological Therapies for Cancer: Questions and Answers ⁵ - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

Biological Therapy ⁶ - Information from NCI about this drug.

Alternative Vaccine Strategy Shows Promise in Prostate Cancer Patients ⁷ - Information from the NCI Press Office about this drug.

NCI Researchers Confirm the Effectiveness of Immunotherapy Approach to Treating Melanoma ⁸ - Information from the NCI Press Office about this drug.

Modifying Immune System Response to Cancer Chemotherapy Could Lead to New Treatment Approaches ⁹ - Information from the NCI Press Office about this drug.

MedlinePlus Information on Aldesleukin ¹⁰ - 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 NLM 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.

Clinical Trials for Aldesleukin ¹¹ - Check for trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry now accepting patients.

Glossary Terms

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.

An agency in the U.S. federal government whose mission is to protect public health by making sure that food, cosmetics, and nutritional supplements are safe to use and truthfully labeled. The Food and Drug Administration also makes sure that drugs, medical devices, and equipment are safe and effective, and that blood for transfusions and transplant tissue are safe. Also called FDA.

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.

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.

Having to do with metastasis, which is the spread of cancer from the primary site (place where it started) to other places in the body.

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.