A Low Dose Schedule of Adriamycin and Protracted Infusion of Recombinant Interleukin-2: A Phase II Study of Immunotherapy in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the immunological response to doxorubicin and protracted recombinant interleukin-2 in terms of alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma specific cytotoxic T cells detectable in peripheral blood in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. II. Determine the toxicity of this treatment regimen in this patient population. III. Determine the tumor response to this regimen in terms of changes in alpha fetoprotein and tumor size measured by CT scan in these patients. IV. Determine the progression free survival and overall survival of this patient population treated with this regimen. V. Determine the correlation between immunological response, tumor response, progression free survival and overall survival in these patients.

OUTLINE: Patients receive doxorubicin IV over 3-5 minutes on day 1 and recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) IV continuously beginning on day 5 and continuing until day 57. Patients achieving partial or complete clinical response regardless of immunological response and patients with stable disease and an immunological response continue on IL-2 therapy continuously until day 92. Patients with stable disease and no immunological response receive an additional dose of doxorubicin on day 57 and then continue on IL-2 until day 92. Patients who are clinically eligible with progressive disease and an immunological response continue IL-2 therapy as above. Patients are followed at 2 weeks and then monthly thereafter.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 24-30 patients will be accrued for this study within approximately 3 years.