Hypersensitivity to aldesleukin (interleukin-2 and proleukin) presenting as facial angioedema and erythema.

Author(s): Abraham D, McGrath KG

Affiliation(s): Division of Allergy-Immunology, Ernest S. Bazley Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center, Department of Medicine, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, USA.

Publication date & source: 2003-07, Allergy Asthma Proc., 24(4):291-4.

Publication type: Case Reports

Aldesleukin is a human recombinant interleukin-2 product. It also is known as interlukin-2 and Proleukin in the United States. It is indicated for the treatment of adults with metastatic renal cell carcinoma as well as for adults with metastatic melanoma. However, its use has been limited because of severe systemic toxicity. There have been no reports of aldesleukin producing a hypersensitivity reaction. This is the first reported case of an immediate systemic hypersensitivity reaction occurring after aldesleukin administration confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for specific immunoglobulin E against aldesleukin.